Perioperative risk factors for impaired neurodevelopment after cardiac surgery in early infancy.
Historical cohort studies have reported adverse neurodevelopment following cardiac surgery during early infancy. Advances in surgical techniques and perioperative care have coincided with updating of neurodevelopmental assessment tools. We aimed to determine perioperative risk factors for impaired neurodevelopment at 2 years following surgery for congenital heart disease (CHD) in early infancy.



We undertook a prospective longitudinal study of 153 full-term infants undergoing surgery for CHD before 2 months of age. Infants were excluded if they had a genetic syndrome associated with neurodevelopmental impairment.



Predefined perioperative parameters were recorded and infants were classified according to cardiac anatomy. At 2 years, survivors were assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-III.



At 2 years, 130 children (98% of survivors) were assessed. Mean cognitive, language and motor scores were 93.4±13.6, 93.6±16.1 and 96.8±12.5 respectively (100±15 norm). Twenty (13%) died and 12 (9%) survivors had severe impairment (score <70), mostly language (8%). The lowest scores were in infants born with single ventricle physiology with obstruction to the pulmonary circulation who required a neonatal systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunt. Additional risk factors for impairment included reduced gestational age, postoperative elevation of lactate or S100B and repeat cardiac surgery.



In the modern era of infant cardiac surgery and perioperative care, children continue to demonstrate neurodevelopmental delays. The use of updated assessment tools has revealed early language dysfunction and relative sparing of motor function. Ongoing follow-up is critical in this high-risk population.
Newborn Intensive Care, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.|Neonatal Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia.|Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Australia.
Julia K
JK
Gunn
Department of Paediatric Intensive Care, Starship Children's Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand.
John
J
Beca
Newborn Intensive Care, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.|Neonatal Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia.|Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Australia.
Rodney W
RW
Hunt
Department of Pediatric Critical Care, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA.
Michelle
M
Goldsworthy
Department of Cardiac Surgery, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
Christian P
CP
Brizard
Department of Cardiac Surgery, Starship Children's Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand.
Kirsten
K
Finucane
Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Australia.|Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia.
Susan
S
Donath
Department of Pediatric Critical Care, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA.
Lara S
LS
Shekerdemian
D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000401:mortality; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007430:Intraoperative Care; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011596:Psychomotor Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D012307:Risk Factors
Cardiac Surgery; Intensive Care; Neonatology; Neurodevelopment; Outcomes research