Neurodevelopment in Congenital Heart Disease Children at One Year Using Global Scales of Early Development Compared to Age Matched Control-An Observational Study

This observational study aims to evaluate the neurodevelopment of one-year-old children with congenital heart disease (CHD) using the Global Scales of Early Development (GSED), comparing their outcomes with age-matched healthy controls. CHD is one of the most common congenital disorders globally and in India, with significant survival improvements due to advancements in medical and surgical care. However, children with CHD remain at high risk for neurodevelopmental delays due to factors such as chronic hypoxia, altered cerebral blood flow, perioperative complications, and prolonged hospitalization. The study highlights the importance of early assessment during infancy, a critical period for brain development, to identify potential delays in cognitive, motor, language, and socio-emotional skills.

he research will be conducted in a tertiary care hospital and Anganwadi centers, enrolling 70 children aged 12 to 15 months—35 diagnosed with CHD and 35 healthy controls. Using both the caregiver-reported short form and the professionally administered long form of the GSED, the study will generate developmental scores (D-scores) to assess and compare neurodevelopment across multiple domains. The selection will follow specific inclusion and exclusion criteria, and data will be collected through informed consent, demographic recording, and standardized developmental assessments.