Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 3, 2026
Experience is Instrumental in Tuning a Link Between Language and Cognition: Evidence from 6- to 7- Month-Old Infants' Object Categorization
Published on: April 19, 2017
Neuromotor performance in infants before and after early open-heart surgery and risk factors for delayed development
Miranda J Campbell1,2, Jenny M Ziviani2, Christian F Stocker1
1Children's Health Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Insights
Early identification of infants with congenital heart disease (CHD) is crucial. Post-operative neuromotor assessments can identify those needing targeted developmental follow-up, improving care pathways for high-risk infants.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Neonatal Surgery
Background:
- Congenital heart disease (CHD) affects infant development.
- Early identification of developmental risks is vital for intervention.
- Open-heart surgery in infants poses risks to neuromotor development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate pre-operative and post-operative neuromotor performance in infants undergoing open-heart surgery.
- To assess developmental status at 6 months of age.
- To identify risk factors for developmental delays and inform care pathways.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study of infants undergoing open-heart surgery before 4 months of age.
- Neuromotor assessment using the Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP) and General Movements (GMs) assessment.
- Developmental assessment at 6 months using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3).
Main Results:
- No significant difference in pre- vs. post-operative GMs or TIMP scores.
- At discharge, 26% had abnormal GMs and median TIMP z-score was -0.93.
- At 6 months, 52.8% showed gross motor delay, linked to gestational age, hospital stay, and discharge TIMP score.
Conclusions:
- Post-operative GMs and TIMP assessments can identify infants needing individualized care.
- Targeted developmental follow-up is recommended for infants with CHD.
- Long-term developmental surveillance beyond 6 months is advised.
Background:
Early identification of infants with CHD at heightened risk of developmental delays can inform surveillance priorities. This study investigated pre-operative and post-operative neuromotor performance in infants undergoing open-heart surgery, and their developmental status at 6 months of age, to identify risk factors and inform care pathways.
Methods:
Infants undergoing open-heart surgery before 4 months of age were recruited into a prospective cohort study. Neuromotor performance was assessed pre-operatively and post-operatively using the Test of Infant Motor Performance and Prechtl's Assessment of General Movements. Development was assessed at 6 months of age using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire third edition. Pre-operative and post-operative General Movements performance was compared using McNemar's test and test of infant motor performance z-scores using Wilcoxon's signed rank test. Risk factors for delayed development at 6 months were explored using logistic regression.
Results:
Sixty infants were included in this study. In the 23 (38%) infants. A total of 60 infants were recruited. In the 23 (38%) infants assessed pre-operatively, there was no significant difference between pre- and post-operative performance on the GMs (p=0.63) or TIMP (p=0.28). At discharge, 15 (26%) infants presented with abnormal GMs, and the median TIMP z-score was -0.93 (IQR: -1.4 to -0.69). At 6 months, 28 (52.8%) infants presented with gross motor delay on the ASQ-3, significantly negatively associated with gestational age (p=0.03), length of hospital stay (p=0.04) and discharge TIMP score (p=0.01).
Conclusions:
Post-operative assessment using the GMs and TIMP may be useful to identify infants requiring individualised care and targeted developmental follow-up. Long-term developmental surveillance beyond 6 months of age is recommended.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
01:27Development of the Heart
As the embryo undergoes lateral folding, these paired tubes approach each other, merging into a single primitive heart...
01:30Factors Influencing Heart Rate
Let us explore the significant factors affecting heart rate, including age, body temperature, posture, acute pain, chemical influences,...
01:12Relative Risk
02:16Transcription Factors
01:26Aging
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...