Neurodevelopmental Outcomes for Individuals With Congenital Heart Disease: Updates in Neuroprotection, Risk-Stratification, Evaluation, and Management: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

2024/02/22 by Erica Sood, Jane W. Newburger, Julia S. Anixt +8 · 211 citations
Medicine · #Cardiac Structural Anomalies and Repair #Congenital Heart Disease Studies #Coronary Artery Anomalies #Disease #Disease management #Environmental health #Family medicine #Heart disease #Intensive care medicine #Medicine #Pathology #Pediatrics #Population #Psychiatry #Referral

paper · doi:10.1161/cir.0000000000001211

published in Circulation 149(13), e997-e1022 (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins)

openalex publication_date 2024/02/22 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01

Abstract

Over the past decade, new research has advanced scientific knowledge of neurodevelopmental trajectories, factors that increase neurodevelopmental risk, and neuroprotective strategies for individuals with congenital heart disease. In addition, best practices for evaluation and management of developmental delays and disorders in this high-risk patient population have been formulated based on literature review and expert consensus. This American Heart Association scientific statement serves as an update to the 2012 statement on the evaluation and management of neurodevelopmental outcomes in children with congenital heart disease. It includes revised risk categories for developmental delay or disorder and an updated list of factors that increase neurodevelopmental risk in individuals with congenital heart disease according to current evidence, including genetic predisposition, fetal and perinatal factors, surgical and perioperative factors, socioeconomic disadvantage, and parental psychological distress. It also includes an updated algorithm for referral, evaluation, and management of individuals at high risk. Risk stratification of individuals with congenital heart disease with the updated categories and risk factors will identify a large and growing population of survivors at high risk for developmental delay or disorder and associated impacts across the life span. Critical next steps must include efforts to prevent and mitigate developmental delays and disorders. The goal of this scientific statement is to inform health care professionals caring for patients with congenital heart disease and other key stakeholders about the current state of knowledge of neurodevelopmental outcomes for individuals with congenital heart disease and best practices for neuroprotection, risk stratification, evaluation, and management.

Citations

• Racial Disparities in Adversity During Childhood and the False Appearance of Race-Related Differences in Brain Structure

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