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Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Neonatal Cerebrovascular Stability Index and Oxygenation With 3-Month Neurodevelopmental Outcomes
Ashley Ibrahim1, Jodie K Votava-Smith2, John C Wood2
1Institute for the Developing Mind, The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA; Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Neonatal cerebrovascular stability index (CSI) and regional cerebral oxygenation (rcSO2) predict 3-month neurodevelopmental outcomes in congenital heart disease (CHD) infants. These associations differ between CHD and control groups, highlighting CSI as a potential risk indicator for developmental delays.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics
- Cerebrovascular Physiology
Background:
- Limited research exists on cerebrovascular autoregulation proxies and neurodevelopmental outcomes (NDOs) in congenital heart disease (CHD).
- Understanding these associations is crucial for early identification and intervention in at-risk infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between neonatal cerebrovascular stability index (CSI) and mean regional cerebral oxygenation (rcSO2) with 3-month NDOs in infants with CHD and controls.
- To examine differences in these associations within CHD subgroups and between CHD and control groups.
Main Methods:
- Secondary analysis of a longitudinal cohort study involving infants with CHD and controls.
- Neonatal CSI calculated as the difference between mean rcSO2 in sitting and supine positions.
- Bayley Scales of Infant Development, Third Edition (Bayley-III) used to assess 3-month NDOs; linear regressions analyzed associations.
Main Results:
- CSI and rcSO2 were associated with cognitive scores in CHD infants.
- Significant differences in associations were observed between CHD and control groups for both CSI and rcSO2.
- Specific associations were found in CHD subgroups: CSI with motor scores and rcSO2 with cognitive scores in the cyanotic subgroup; rcSO2 with language scores in the biventricular subgroup.
Conclusions:
- Neonatal CSI and rcSO2 are associated with cognitive and motor outcomes at 3 months in infants with CHD and its subgroups.
- Directional differences in these associations exist between CHD and control groups.
- CSI warrants further investigation as a potential indicator for developmental delays in infants with CHD.

