Congenital heart disease has been associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. Children and adolescents with congenital heart disease present deficits in different neurological domains (motor, cognitive, language, school performance and social skills). Historically they were attributed to a potential brain injury during cardiac surgery. However, current evidence shows that term newborns already present brain abnormalities and delay of maturation (dysmaturation) with high prevalence 28% (95% CI, 18-40%) Among them is reported ventriculomegaly, Corpus Callosum agenesis, hypoplastic vermis, intraventricular hemorrhage, subarachnoid space enlargement, white matter alterations (periventricular leukomalacia), altered cortical development and periventricular cysts. The most studied mechanism is the interference of heart disease with the physiological shunt from right to left by the foramen ovale, which ensures the arrival of the best oxygenated blood first to the brain. The benefit of potential neuroprotective prenatal interventions and early diagnosis of congenital heart diseases is discussed. Key words: Congenital heart disease, brain dysmaturation, cardiac surgery. |
