To examine associations between measurements of neurodevelopment and psychosocial health status at age 8 and 16 years in patients with repaired dextro-transposition of the great arteries.

In the 16-year follow-up of the Boston Circulatory Arrest Study, 137 parents completed the Child Health Questionnaire—Parent Form-50, of whom 135 had completed the Child Health Questionnaire—Parent Form-50 when their child was age 8 years. Psychosocial and physical summary scores were used to assess change in health status from age 8 to 16 years. A comprehensive battery of neurodevelopmental testing was performed at ages 8 and 16 years to examine associations with adolescent health status.

Lower psychosocial summary scores of 16 year old subjects with dextro-transposition of the great arteries were highly associated with numerous concurrent domains of neurodevelopmental function, most notably with higher (worse) scores on the Conners' Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder/Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-4th Edition Scales (parent: r = −0.62, P < .001; adolescent: r = −0.43, P < .001) and the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function Global Executive Composite (parent: r = −0.66, P < .001; adolescent: r = −0.39, P < .001). Psychosocial and physical summary scores tracked from ages 8 to 16 years (r = 0.44 and 0.47, respectively, P < .001 for each). Higher (worse) scores of multiple attention measures at age 8 years predicted worse psychosocial summary scores at age 16 years.

Attention deficits at age 8 years were highly predictive of worse psychosocial health status in adolescence. Further studies are needed to assess whether treatment of childhood attention deficit hyperactivity disorder could improve adolescent well-being.