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Published on: March 10, 2020
Elevated risk for developmental disabilities in children with congenital heart defects
Christine Delgado1, Mary Anne Ullery1, Guangyu Zeng1,2
1Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, USA.
Insights
Children with congenital heart defects (CHD) face a doubled risk of developmental disabilities. Early monitoring and intervention are crucial for all children with CHD to improve learning outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Public Health
Background:
- Congenital heart defects (CHD) are common birth anomalies.
- Developmental disabilities impact preschool-aged children.
- Population-level studies are needed to understand CHD-related risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the risk of developmental disabilities in preschool children with congenital heart defects (CHD).
- To assess risks across different types of CHD.
- To inform early intervention strategies.
Main Methods:
- Integrated statewide birth, birth defects, and developmental disability records.
- Analyzed data from 1,966,585 children, categorized by CHD type (critical, noncritical, atrial septal defect).
- Compared developmental disability risk between CHD groups and a no-major-birth-defects group.
Main Results:
- Children with any CHD had a 2.08-fold increased risk of any developmental disability.
- Increased risks observed for developmental delay, intellectual disability, language impairment, and other health impairments across CHD groups.
- Atrial septal defect group showed higher risk for autism spectrum disorder and speech impairment.
Conclusions:
- Both critical and less severe CHDs are associated with increased developmental disability risk.
- Close monitoring and early intervention are recommended for all children with CHD.
- Timely interventions can optimize learning outcomes for affected children.
Background:
This study examined risk for developmental disabilities in preschool-aged children with a congenital heart defect (CHD) at the population level.
Methods:
Statewide birth, birth defects, and preschool developmental disability records were integrated. The final sample included 1,966,585 children (51.0% male). Children were grouped by type(s) of CHD: critical CHD, noncritical CHD, atrial septal defect, or no major birth defects (groups were mutually exclusive).
Results:
Children with a CHD (any type) were at increased risk for developmental disability (any type) (RR 2.08, 95% CI 2.03-2.14, P < .001). Children in the critical CHD, noncritical CHD, and atrial septal defect groups were at increased risk for developmental delay, intellectual disability, language impairment, other health impairment, and any disability. Children in the atrial septal defect group were at increased risk for autism spectrum disorder and speech impairment. For all CHD groups, risk was greatest for other health impairment and intellectual disability.
Conclusions:
Increased risk for developmental disabilities was identified for children with less severe CHDs as well as for children with more severe (critical) CHDs. All children with CHDs should be closely monitored so that appropriate interventions can be initiated as early as possible to maximize learning outcomes.
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