Gross motor development is delayed following early cardiac surgery

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Cardiology
• Developmental Pediatrics
• Neonatal Surgery

Background:

• Cardiac surgery in neonates and early infants can impact developmental trajectories.
• Understanding gross motor development post-cardiac surgery is crucial for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the gross motor development of infants following neonatal or early infant cardiac surgery.
• To identify factors associated with gross motor outcomes in this population.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Alberta Infant Motor Scale to assess gross motor performance at 4, 8, 12, and 16 months.
• Infants were videotaped and assessed by a blinded senior pediatric physiotherapist.
• Demographic, diagnostic, surgical, and critical care variables were analyzed.

Main Results:

• 50 infants undergoing cardiac surgery before 8 weeks of age were studied.
• Significant delays in gross motor development were observed at all assessment points.
• 62% of infants exhibited non-typical gross motor development within the first year.
• Longer hospital length of stay correlated with poorer gross motor outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Recommends active gross motor surveillance for all infants undergoing early cardiac surgery.
• Suggests further research with larger congenital heart disease cohorts.
• Emphasizes the need for longitudinal studies to track outcomes into school age and beyond.