Background: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most frequently occurring congenital disorder in newborns. Children with CHD have a risk for neurodevelopmental disorders. However, we need to do further research for revealing the specific effects of CHD on development of neurocognitive functions. The aim of this study was to further address the neurodevelopmental consequences of CHD across different neurocognitive functions in children by using complex child neuropsychological assessment.

Methods: The experimental group included 12 children at the age of 7-8 with diagnoses of Class 1 CHD, with no genetic or chromosomal abnormalities. The control group included 12 typically developing children. Children from experimental and control group were matched for gender and age. Children from both groups were assessed with Luria's neuropsychological assessment battery for children. Battery consists of 16 subtests that designed to assess visuospatial functions, memory, sensorimotor functions, language and executive abilities.

Results: One-way ANOVAs by group revealed significant differences (p≤0,05) between groups for performance of neuropsychological subtests which designed to asses executive functions and sensorimotor functions). Children with CHD performed these subtests significantly worse.

Conclusion: In view of the obtained results it can be assumed that congenital heart disease can cause the delay in the development of executive functions and sensorimotor functions in children at the age of 7-8. We have revealed that CHD have specific (not global) negative effect on development of neurocognitive functions in children. However, it necessary to do further researcher for revealing the influence of CHD on neurocognitive development of children.