Developmental assessment of infants with congenital heart disease: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Abstract Background Recently, marked improvement of medical and surgical care for infants with congenital heart disease led to a growing population with a high risk of developmental delay. We aimed to identify developmental delay in these infants and its risk factors. So, we performed a cross-sectional study on 100 infants with congenital heart disease to assess their development by using Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scale. We searched for risk factors for developmental delay in these infants. Correlations were conducted between the degree of developmental delay and the potential risk factors. To our knowledge, this study has not been conducted in developing countries before. Results The median age of the study group is 12.5 months, but it is equivalent to 9.5 months by using Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scale. There was a statistically significant developmental delay in infants who had risk factors such as prematurity, history of neonatal intensive care unit admission, anemia, stunted growth, underweight, central cyanosis, or abnormal electroencephalographic. Conclusions Developmental delay is a common complication in infants with congenital heart disease. It has many risk factors; some of them could be modifiable as anemia, stunted growth, and underweight. Thus, early screening for developmental delay and its risk factors is of a great value. This could help in applying preventive measures and early intervention programs. Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scale is a reliable tool in determination of developmental delay in infants with congenital heart disease.