Motor development in infants with complex congenital heart disease: A longitudinal study

Aim: To evaluate whether infants with complex congenital heart disease (CCHD) have an increased risk of impaired quality of motor behavior and delayed motor milestones. Method: A cohort of 69 infants with CCHD (43 males, 26 females) were assessed with the Infant Motor Profile (IMP) at three time periods between 6 to 18 months, mean ages in months (SD): 6.4 (0.7); 12.7 (1.0); 18.5 (0.7) IMP data were available from a reference sample of 300 Dutch infants. Analyses included multivariable logistic regression analysis to estimate differences in IMP scores below the 15th centile between children with CCHD and the reference group, and linear mixed-effects models to assess the effect of ventricular physiology and systemic oxygen saturation (SpO2) of less than 90% on IMP outcomes. Results: Infants with CCHD had increased risks of total IMP scores below the 15th centile (lowest odds ratio [OR] at 18mo: 6.82 [95% confidence interval {CI} 2.87-16.19]), especially because of lower scores in the domains of variation, adaptability, and performance. Children with single ventricle CCHD scored consistently 3.03% (95% CI 1.00-5.07) lower than those with two ventricle physiology, mainly from contributions of the variation and performance domains. SpO2 of less than 90% was associated with 2.52% (95% CI 0.49-4.54) lower IMP scores. Interpretation: CCHD, especially single ventricle physiology, increases risk of impaired motor development.

Automated summary

This study aimed to evaluate the risk of impaired motor behavior and delayed motor milestones in infants with complex congenital heart disease (CCHD). The results showed that infants with CCHD had a higher risk of total IMP scores below the 15th centile, especially in the domains of variation, adaptability, and performance. Children with single ventricle CCHD consistently scored lower than those with two ventricle physiology, mainly due to contributions from the variation and performance domains. SpO2 of less than 90% was associated with lower IMP scores.