Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 4, 2026
A Battery of Motor Tests in a Neonatal Mouse Model of Cerebral Palsy
Published on: November 3, 2016
Optimising motor development in the hospitalised infant with CHD: factors contributing to early motor challenges and
Stefanie C Rogers1, Lauren Malik2, Jennifer Fogel3
1Children's Health Rehabilitation and Therapy Services, Children's Medical Center Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA.
Insights
Infants with critical congenital heart disease (CHD) often experience motor delays. Developmental therapists play a crucial role in assessing and supporting motor skill acquisition in these vulnerable infants within hospital settings.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Rehabilitation Therapy
Background:
- Critical congenital heart disease (CHD) is frequently associated with neurodevelopmental challenges, including significant gross and fine motor delays in infancy.
- Hospitalized infants with critical CHD require vigilant monitoring by developmental therapists to optimize motor development.
- The specific roles of developmental therapists in intensive and acute care for infants with critical CHD are not well-defined in existing literature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline typical infant motor skill development.
- To examine the impact of the hospital environment and early cardiac surgery on infant motor skills.
- To describe the supportive role of developmental therapists in fostering motor skill acquisition in infants with critical CHD.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on infant motor development and critical CHD.
- Analysis of the hospital environment's influence on motor skills.
- Description of developmental therapy interventions in acute care settings.
Main Results:
- Infants undergoing neonatal surgical intervention for critical CHD exhibit disrupted motor skill development and altered developmental trajectories.
- Developmental therapists are integral members of interdisciplinary teams in intensive and acute care.
- Therapists provide essential assessment, guided motor interventions, and support for overall infant development.
Conclusions:
- Neonatal surgical intervention for critical CHD interrupts typical motor skill progression.
- Developmental therapists are vital in promoting optimal motor skill acquisition and development in hospitalized infants with critical CHD.
- Collaboration within interdisciplinary teams is key to supporting these infants' developmental needs.
Background:
Neurodevelopmental challenges are the most prevalent comorbidity associated with a diagnosis of critical CHD, and there is a high incidence of gross and fine motor delays noted in early infancy. The frequency of motor delays in hospitalised infants with critical CHD requires close monitoring from developmental therapies (physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists) to optimise motor development. Currently, minimal literature defines developmental therapists' role in caring for infants with critical CHD in intensive or acute care hospital units.
Purpose:
This article describes typical infant motor skill development, how the hospital environment and events surrounding early cardiac surgical interventions impact those skills, and how developmental therapists support motor skill acquisition in infants with critical CHD. Recommendations for healthcare professionals and those who provide medical or developmental support in promotion of optimal motor skill development in hospitalised infants with critical CHD are discussed.
Conclusions:
Infants with critical CHD requiring neonatal surgical intervention experience interrupted motor skill interactions and developmental trajectories. As part of the interdisciplinary team working in intensive and acute care settings, developmental therapists assess, guide motor intervention, promote optimal motor skill acquisition, and support the infant's overall development.
