Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 29, 2026
Implantation of Total Artificial Heart in Congenital Heart Disease
Published on: July 18, 2014
Neurodevelopmental Status of Children Aged 6-30 Months With Congenital Heart Disease
Kusum Lata1, Devendra Mishra, Vimal Mehta
1Department of Pediatrics, Lok Nayak Hospital; and *Department of Cardiology, GB Pant Hospital; Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India. Correspondence to: Dr Devendra Mishra, Departments of Pediatrics, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India. drdmishra@gmail.com.
Insights
Children with congenital heart disease (CHD) show a high risk of developmental delay, particularly in motor skills. Early screening and intervention are crucial for improving long-term outcomes in these children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics
- Public Health
Background:
- Congenital heart diseases (CHD) pose a significant risk for neurodevelopmental delay in children.
- Limited Indian data exists on the neurodevelopmental status of children with CHD.
- This study addresses the gap in understanding neurodevelopmental outcomes in Indian children with CHD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the neurodevelopmental status of children diagnosed with congenital heart diseases.
- To identify the prevalence and patterns of developmental delay in this population.
- To provide data supporting early intervention strategies for children with CHD.
Main Methods:
- Consecutive enrollment of 75 children aged 6-30 months with confirmed CHD.
- Exclusion of children with genetic syndromes, sensory deficits, microcephaly, or post-cardiac surgery.
- Neurodevelopmental assessment using the Developmental Assessment Scale for Indian Infants (DASII), with delay defined as a Development Quotient (DQ) <70.
Main Results:
- Developmental delay was observed in 25% of children with CHD, predominantly affecting the motor domain (48%) compared to the mental domain (12%).
- Children with cyanotic CHD had lower mean motor DQ (65) than those with acyanotic CHD (77).
- Motor DQ was significantly lower than mental DQ in both acyanotic and cyanotic CHD groups (P=0.048).
Conclusions:
- Children with CHD are at an elevated risk for developmental delay, highlighting the need for proactive neurodevelopmental surveillance.
- Early identification and intervention are critical for improving academic, behavioral, psycho-social, and adaptive functions in children with CHD.
- Implementing periodic screening and evaluation protocols is recommended for timely management of developmental deficits in this vulnerable group.
Background:
Children with congenital heart diseases (CHD) are considered to be at high-risk for neurodevelopmental delay, but scant Indian data are available.
Objective:
To evaluate the neurodevelopmental status of children with CHD.
Methods:
We enrolled consecutive children aged 6-30 months with echocardiographically-confirmed CHD between June 2013 and January 2014. Children with clinically recognizable genetic syndromes or disorders; visual and/or hearing deficits, and microcephaly; and post-cardiac surgery children were excluded. Development was assessed by Developmental Assessment Scale for Indian Infants (DASII) and Developmental delay defined as Development Quotient (DQ) <70 in either the mental or motor scale.
Results:
75 children (53 males) with CHD were enrolled. Acyanotic CHD was seen in 51 children (VSD in 47%), and Tetralogy of Fallot was the commonest cyanotic CHD (25%). Developmental delay was seen in 25% of these children, more in the motor domain (48%) than in mental (12%). Mean motor and mental DQ in acyanotic CHD was 77 and 84, respectively; and 65 and 85, respectively in cyanotic CHD. Mean motor DQ was significantly less than mental DQ in both acyanotic and cyanotic CHD children (P=0.048).
Conclusion:
Children with CHD are at an increased risk for developmental delay. Periodic surveillance, screening and evaluation should be instituted in them for early identification and appropriate interventions to enhance later academic, behavioral, psycho-social and adaptive function.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Heart Failure IV: Classification and Diagnostic Evaluation
01:29Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy