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Published on: May 5, 2018
Cardiovascular Hemodynamics and Brain Health in Congenital Heart Disease
Whitnee Hogan1, Shabnam Peyvandi2
1University of Utah/Primary Children's Hospital, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
Insights
Congenital heart disease in fetuses and neonates is linked to abnormal brain development and injury, impacting neurodevelopment. Early interventions targeting risk factors can optimize brain health from in utero.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Fetal and Neonatal Medicine
- Pediatric Cardiology
Background:
- Congenital heart disease (CHD) affects fetal and neonatal brain development.
- Abnormal brain development in utero and acquired brain injury postnatally are common in significant CHD.
- Both factors independently impact neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review neuroimaging findings in fetuses and neonates with significant CHD.
- To discuss abnormal brain development and acquired brain injury.
- To identify risk factors and opportunities for intervention to optimize brain health.
Main Methods:
- Review of common neuroimaging findings.
- Analysis of abnormal brain development and acquired brain injury.
- Identification of risk factors and potential modifications.
Main Results:
- Significant forms of CHD are associated with abnormal fetal brain development.
- Neonates with CHD have a high incidence of acquired brain injury.
- Risk factors for both conditions are identified.
Conclusions:
- Neuroimaging reveals significant brain abnormalities in fetuses and neonates with CHD.
- Addressing risk factors offers opportunities to improve neurodevelopmental outcomes.
- Optimizing brain health requires a focus on prenatal and postnatal interventions.
Abstract:
In this article, we detail common neuroimaging findings in fetuses and neonates with significant forms of congenital heart disease. We review the observations of abnormal brain development beginning in utero and the high incidence of acquired brain injury after birth, both of which are independently associated with neurodevelopmental outcomes. We review known risk factors contributing to both abnormal brain growth and development as well as acquired brain injury. We review opportunities to modify risk factors to optimize brain health beginning in utero in this population of patients.
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