Complex Congenital Heart Disease and Neurodevelopment. A Case Study of Fraternal Twins

Dev Neuropsychol. 2022 Jul;47(4):226-232. doi: 10.1080/87565641.2022.2070169. Epub 2022 May 4.

Abstract

Congenital heart defects have been associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes due to factors that result in a hypoxic-ischemic cerebral cumulative effect. We present a pair of fraternal twins: the first twin was healthy, and the second was born with a complex congenital heart defect (CCHD). They were followed for growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes to determine the comparative effect of exposure to a CCHD. Results show that exposure to a CCHD could be related to a persistent motor deficiency with hypotonia and concurrent height for age delay. CCHD requires a comprehensive neurodevelopmental approach; the pathophysiology and the surrounding stimuli are influential.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Heart Defects, Congenital* / complications
  • Humans
  • Twins, Dizygotic*