Elementary school performance of children with congenital heart disease: a Danish nationwide cohort study
Authors' conclusion
School performance was impaired in all children with CHD, regardless of disease severity. These findings advocate for a better surveillance and school support for children with CHD to help improve their educational outcomes.
Study context
- Population
- Children with congenital heart disease who reached 16 years of age and attended an elementary school-leaving examination, Denmark, 2001 to 2022, and matched controls
- Participants
- 10,717 vs 229,738
- Exposure
- Children with CHD compared with matched controls
- CHDn = 10,717
- Controlsn = 229,738reference
- Outcome
- Rank of mean exam score
Methodological detailsnationwide registries, matched controls
- Nationwide registries
- Matched controls
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
| Group | Value | Mild CHD | Moderate CHD | Severe CHD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHD | rank 0.47 (95% CI 0.46–0.48) | 0.48 (0.47-0.48) | 0.46 (0.45-0.47) | 0.44 (0.42-0.47) |
| Controls | rank 0.50 (95% CI 0.50–0.50) |
Value
CHDrank 0.47 (95% CI 0.46–0.48)
Controlsrank 0.50 (95% CI 0.50–0.50)
Mild CHD
CHD0.48 (0.47-0.48)
Controls— not stated in the abstract
Moderate CHD
CHD0.46 (0.45-0.47)
Controls— not stated in the abstract
Severe CHD
CHD0.44 (0.42-0.47)
Controls— not stated in the abstract
- Children with CHD ranked lower in the mean exam score compared with controls
- all P < 0.0001
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | CHD | Controls | aOR (95% CI) | P value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Failing the examCHDvs controls | 27.5% | 19.0% | 1.45 (1.37–1.53) | P < 0.0001 | |
| Failing the examMild CHDvs controls | 1.35 (1.26–1.44) | ||||
| Failing the examModerate CHDvs controls | 1.54 (1.39–1.72) | ||||
| Failing the examSevere CHDvs controls | 2.27 (1.86–2.77) | ||||
| 0.20.5125Adjusted odds ratio (log scale) |
Factors associated with exam score and failing
- Preterm birth, previous cardiac intervention, cardiopulmonary bypass, and hospitalization were associated with lower exam score and higher risk of failing the exam
School performance among CHD children over time · 2001 to 2022
- Worsened from
- 0.49 (95% CI: 0.47-0.51)
- To
- 0.47 (95% CI: 0.45-0.48)
Original publication
Elementary school performance of children with congenital heart disease: a Danish nationwide cohort study. Eur Heart J Qual Care Clin Outcomes. Published 1 September 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →