How does the convergence of prematurity and congenital heart disease impact the developing brain?
Prematurity and congenital heart disease (CHD) are individually associated with increased risk of brain injury and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. Delayed brain development in newborns with CHD has been documented to begin in utero and predisposes newborns with CHD to brain injury. Little is known about the combined risks when prematurity and CHD co-occur. The purpose of this review is to highlight the unique vulnerability of preterm newborns with CHD to brain dysmaturation and brain injury, and the urgent need for prospective research.
['Gano|Dawn|D|', 'McQuillen|Patrick|P|']
Brain injury Preterm Congenital heart defects Magnetic resonance imaging