Children's Health and Educational Needs

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.
group of children

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 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.

Keep Reading: Transitioning from Pediatric to Adult Medical Care
Caregiver and child talking with healthcare provider
Plan for transitioning from pediatric to adult care with your provider

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 often 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

As a parent, you know your child best. If you think there could be a problem with the way your child plays, learns, speaks, acts, or moves, talk to your child's doctor.
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Content Source:
National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD)
  • 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. The American Journal of Cardiology. 2019; 124(1):137-143.
  • 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.