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Neurological Development in Very Low Birth Weight Infants with Congenital Heart Disease at 3 Years of Age: A Japanese

Yoshiki Mori1, Yasumi Nakashima2, Hiroshi Sugiura3

  • 1Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Seirei Hamamatsu General Hospital, 2-12-12 Sumiyoshi, Naka-Ku, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, 430-8558, Japan. yoshikim57@gmail.com.

Pediatric Cardiology
|October 18, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Infants with congenital heart disease (CHD) and very low birth weight (VLBW) face higher risks of neurodevelopmental impairment. Serious CHD and extended hospital stays are key risk factors, necessitating early intervention and specialized care.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatology
  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Developmental Pediatrics

Background:

  • Neurodevelopmental impairment is a growing concern in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants, especially those with congenital heart disease (CHD).
  • The prevalence and specific risk factors for neurodevelopmental issues in this population are not well-established.
  • Understanding these outcomes is crucial for timely intervention and improved long-term health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate neurodevelopmental outcomes in VLBW infants with and without CHD.
  • To identify independent risk factors associated with neurodevelopmental impairment in VLBW infants with CHD.

Main Methods:

  • A multicenter cohort study involving VLBW infants born between 2006 and 2014 without genetic or known anomalies.
  • Neurodevelopmental assessment at three years using the Kyoto Scale of Psychological Developmental (KSPD).
  • Poor neurodevelopment defined as a developmental quotient (DQ) < 70, cerebral palsy diagnosis, or clinical judgment.

Main Results:

  • Poor neurodevelopment outcomes were significantly more frequent in VLBW infants with CHD (36.5%) compared to those without (16.4%).
  • Infants with serious CHD showed particularly high rates of poor neurodevelopment (54.9%).
  • Serious CHD and prolonged hospitalization (> 13 weeks) were identified as independent risk factors.

Conclusions:

  • VLBW infants with CHD are at a substantially higher risk for neurodevelopmental impairment.
  • Early identification of risk factors, including serious CHD and prolonged hospitalization, is critical.
  • Multidisciplinary follow-up care is essential for this high-risk population.

Keywords:
Congenital heart diseaseNeurodevelopmentNeurological impairmentRisk factorsVery low birth weight infants

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