Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of the Child with Congenital Heart Disease

Survival after bypass surgery in moderate and severe congenital heart disease (CHD) has increased dramatically. Although cardiac outcome is often very good, these children are at increased risk of developmental impairments in all developmental domains. Risk factors for developmental impairment include a genetic disorder, preterm birth, longer intensive care stay, poorer socioeconomic environment, and more complex forms of CHD. Health care providers, patients, and parents must be aware and informed about noncardiac sequelae and tertiary centers performing open-heart surgery in neonates and infants must establish a neurodevelopmental follow-up program to provide regular neurodevelopmental assessments. These allow for individual counseling and early detection and treatment of developmental problems.