Prematurity Predicts Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Congenital Heart Disease.

Cohort studyJournal of the American Heart Association· Aug 2026

Prematurity Predicts Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Congenital Heart Disease.

Jenna A Katz, Kimberlee Gauvreau, Samantha C Butler … Jane W Newburger

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Pediatric CardiologyCohort studyQ1IF 5.3

Extreme prematurity linked to lower cognitive and motor scores in congenital heart disease

Prematurity Predicts Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Congenital Heart Disease.

Jenna A Katz … Jane W Newburger

Journal of the American Heart Association · Aug 2026

Background

Neurodevelopmental impairment is common in both prematurity and congenital heart disease (congenital heart disease).

Methods

Were stratified by gestational age: extremely/very/moderately preterm (≤33 weeks), late-preterm (34-36 weeks), early-term (37-38 weeks), or term/postterm (≥39 weeks).

n = 1350 infants

Results

extreme prematurity predicted lower motor composite scores versus term birth

points lower 15 (95% CI 8 to 22)

CI excludes the null - significant

More results

Among 1350 infants who underwent cardiac surgery, 513 (38%) completed Bayley scale assessment at median age 28 months (interquartile range, 19-34).

448 (87%) were full term and 65 (13%) preterm.

After multivariable adjustment, gestational age remained a significant independent predictor of cognitive and motor scores.

More results

These models explained 17% to 26% of the variance in Bayley scores.

“

Conclusion · 1 of 2

Prematurity is a significant risk factor for adverse cognitive and motor outcomes in children with congenital heart disease, especially in those born ≤33 weeks.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

Enhanced neurodevelopmental surveillance and targeted early intervention strategies are warranted for this vulnerable population.

Prematurity Predicts Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Congenital Heart Disease.

Prematurity Predicts Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Congenital Heart Disease.

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