Key points
- About 1 in 77 U.S. children have a current heart condition (according to data from 2016).
- Children and young adults with heart defects may have additional learning and educational needs.
- Understanding these needs can help children and families receive needed support and services and thrive in school.
Special healthcare needs
Compared to children without a heart condition, children with a heart condition are more likely to have special healthcare needs. These include medication needs, physical or speech therapy, and treatment for developmental or behavioral problems.
Children and teens with heart defects more commonly have other birth defects, problems with breathing, mental health issues, and other heart problems. Teens with more severe types of heart defects are more likely to be admitted to the hospital for care.
Thanks to the advances in medical care, more young adults with heart defects are attending college. Healthcare providers, young adults, and their parents are encouraged to discuss transition from pediatric to adult health care. Students with heart defects should stay in specialty medical care for their heart during college and into adulthood.
Educational and learning needs
Many children with chronic health conditions such as heart defects do well in school. However, some children living with heart defects may need extra attention in school to succeed. Compared to children without heart defects, children with heart defects are more likely to
- Have difficulty with learning, focusing, and communicating
- Miss more than 10 days of school in one year
- Have trouble participating in sports or clubs
Children with heart defects and no other birth defects are more likely to need special education services than children without heart defects. In particular, special education needs are common among children with heart defects who also have:
- Intellectual disability
- Problems with hearing or seeing
- Developmental delay
- Learning disability
- Limited alertness in school
Working together to help children with CHDs
CDC's findings highlight the importance of developmental screening so children with heart defects can get the support they need in school. Many children with educational concerns are not identified as early as possible.
Parents, educators, and healthcare providers can work together to help students receive the educational and health services they need to succeed.
Share your concerns
- Chen M, Riehle-Colarusso T, Yeung LF, Smith C, Farr SL. Children with Heart Conditions and Their Special Health Care Needs — United States, 2016. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2018;67:1045–1049.
- Lui GK, McGarry C, Bhatt A, Book W, Riehle-Colarusso TJ, et al. Population-based Surveillance of Congenital Heart Defects among Adolescents at Three Sites in the United States (in press). The American Journal of Cardiology; 2019.
- Downing KF, Oster ME, Farr SL. Preparing adolescents with heart problems for transition to adult care, 2009-2010 National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs. Congenital Heart Disease. 2017 Jul; 12(4):497-506.
- Razzaghi H, Oster M, Reefhuis J. Long-term outcomes in children with congenital heart disease: National Health Interview Survey. J Pediatr. 2015;166(1):119-124.
- Farr SL, Downing KF, Riehle-Colarusso T, Abarbanell G. Functional limitations and educational needs among children and adolescents with heart disease. Congenital Heart Disease. 2018; 13:633-639.
- Riehle-Colarusso T, Autry A, Razzaghi H, Boyle CA, Mahle WT, Braun KV, Correa A. Congenital heart defects and receipt of special education services. Pediatrics. 2015 Sep 1;136(3):496-504.