Neonatal Neurocardiac Care: Strategies to Optimize Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Congenital Heart Disease

Authors

Sarah D. Schlatterer, Department of Neurology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20010, USA; Department of Pediatrics, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20010, USA; Prenatal Pediatrics Institute, Children's National Hospital, 111 Michigan Avenue Northwest, Suite M3118, Washington, DC 20010, USA. Electronic address: sschlatt@childrensnational.org.
Jacklyn Smith, Department of Neurology, Children's National Hospital, 111 Michigan Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC 20010, USA.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

6-1-2025

Journal

Clinics in perinatology

Volume

52

Issue

2

DOI

10.1016/j.clp.2025.02.012

Keywords

Brain injury; Congenital heart disease (CHD); Critical care; Neurodevelopmental outcomes

Abstract

Neonates with critical congenital heart disease are at high risk for brain injury and neurodevelopmental disabilities. Neurocardiac care is a developing field, and there are few guidelines for front-line providers regarding neuromonitoring and neuroprotection. Understanding influences on early brain development, risk for seizures and brain injury, and long-term developmental outcomes can help providers formulate appropriate action plans for individual patients. Current evidence suggests that prenatal diagnosis, minimizing medical risk factors, monitoring for brain injury and seizures, providing individualized developmental care, supporting parental mental health, and referral to long-term developmental follow-up are components of care that may improve outcomes.

APA Citation

Schlatterer, Sarah D. and Smith, Jacklyn, "Neonatal Neurocardiac Care: Strategies to Optimize Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Congenital Heart Disease" (2025). GW Authored Works. Paper 7499.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/7499

Department

Neurology