Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Medically Fragile Infant Populations

Medical advances have enabled infants born premature or with congenital cardiac defects (CHD) to have increased lifespans. Understanding neurodevelopmental profiles and outcomes enhances the identification of potential challenges and helps pinpoint targets for early intervention, starting from infancy. Neurodevelopmental vulnerabilities are documented for both populations, with developmental delays, including cognitive, motor, language, neurosensory, and social-emotional development. Whereas neurodevelopmental follow up for premature infants is established, similar protocols are not typically in place for CHD infants. The current study aims to identify trends in these at-risk populations to better understand developmental trajectories and provide recommendations for follow up. Outcome measures of cognitive, motor, language functioning from the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition, along with growth measurements and cardiac diagnoses from 322 participants, aged 6 months (cardiac) and 6 months age-corrected (premature infant) were collected. Similarities in functioning were identified. Findings indicate associations between CHD diagnosis and motor development, prematurity and severity of outcomes, and head circumference and cognitive functioning. Cardiac diagnosis severity alone was not associated with outcome severity. These findings expand previous literature identified similar at-risk profiles and needs. Continued follow up through school age is recommended to identify subtle delays that may emerge throughout development.