Cardiac Neurodevelopment: Taking the long-term view after pediatric open-heart surgery

Children with heart problems are already at high risk for developmental, learning, and behavioral problems. As more children survive cardiac surgery, doctors are realizing that the children are frequently left with neurologic problems, such as mental retardation or lifelong language and learning disorders. Many of these problems may be due to the support techniques used to protect vital organs during heart surgery.

Cardiologists are working with psychologists and neurologists to minimize neurological problems that may occur after surgery for congenital heart disease. Drs. Newburger and Ware intervene early, assessing the neurological development of these children. The video shows how they do their assessments and some discussion as to the impact they have had on these childrens lives.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• cardiac
• cardiology
• neurodevelopment
• childrens
• hospital
• boston
• pediatrics

[teklaros]

My baby sister is in this video <3 She is doing great!

[Riv3rQu33n]

i had heart surgery twice,once at a week old,and again at five years old.they told my mom i'd be retarded.but noone ever mentioned anything about learning disabilities or anything else.had to find out later in life.

[Purpink1]

I yr ago my grandson was at Children's Hospital Boston,(Yellow Tee,end of video) after being at another hospital. Not only did CHB save his life, they explained what was going to be done to my Grandson to my son and his wife, while having heart surgeries. The compassion from the Drs,nurses & staff was remarkable.Then, at the follow-up they where shown the same profressionalism & compassion in what the future lies ahead. My Grandson just turned 1 yr on1-23 & is doing wonderful. Thank-you CBH!