Development in children with congenital heart disease

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With increasing success in the management of children with congenital heart defects emerges the question of whether motor and social development are normal. Better understanding of these issues would help pediatricians and pediatric cardiologists organize care to improve ultimate outcomes. In this issue of The Journal, Eek Brandlistuen et al report on a study from Norway. They took advantage of a large cohort study to serve as the comparison group. They found increased odds of motor impairment at 6 months of age in the group with congenital heart disease and increased odds of social impairment in the group with congenital disease and comorbid conditions, such as intestinal malformation, compared with controls. These findings indicate that motor and social problems begin early in life for patients with congenital heart disease. This means that early intervention to support these patients and their families is warranted.