Objectives: To determine the prevalence of persistent developmental impairments in children with congenital heart defects and to identify factors that enhance risk for an adverse outcome.
Study design: Eligible infants (n = 131) <2 years of age requiring open heart surgery were recruited prospectively. Subjects were assessed during surgery and again 12 to 18 months later with standardized developmental assessments and formal neurologic examinations.
Results: Mean age at follow-up testing was 19.1 +/- 6.6 months. Assessments indicated that 41% had abnormal neurologic examinations. Gross and/or fine motor delays were documented in 42%, and 23% demonstrated global developmental delay. Univariate and multiple regression models identified the following factors increasing the risk for persistent developmental deficits: preoperative and acute postoperative neurodevelopmental status and microcephaly, type of heart lesion, length of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, age at surgery, and days in the intensive care unit (P <.05).
Conclusions: Children with congenital heart defects commonly have ongoing neurologic, motor, and developmental deficits well after surgical correction. The cause is multifactorial and includes brain injury before, during, and after heart surgery.