Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Program
Children diagnosed with congenital heart disease (CHD) are at risk for later having neurodevelopmental delays or disabilities. These delays, which can be noticed as early as in infancy or diagnosed later as a child ages, impact a wide range of functions, including motor skills, language, and behavior and cognition.
At SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, we have a multidisciplinary Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Program that screens, evaluates, and then coordinates the care needed for a child diagnosed with any neurodevelopmental delay.
Who is Eligible for Screenings?
- Any child between the ages of 12-24 months old who had heart surgery in the 1st year of life
- Any child placed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) or a ventricular assist device (VAD)
- Any child who has had a brain or neurologic injury or who has suspected cognitive delays
During your child’s first visit, which is within the Dorothy and Larry Dallas Heart Center, we will evaluate language and, motor skills as well as cognition. Testing will be done by a speech/language pathologist. A physical and neurological exam also will be done by a developmental-behavioral pediatrician. Other specialists on the team include cardiologists and neurologists.
The team will go over the results of the initial screening with you and discuss any early intervention strategies that are recommended. Follow-up visits may be scheduled in our Knights of Columbus Developmental Center.
Early Identification
Early screening and intervention as well as regular monitoring through adolescence are critical to minimizing any neurodevelopmental delays that may develop in children with congenital heart disease.
If you have questions about the Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Program, please do not hesitate to discuss with your child's cardiologist or call the Dorthy and Larry Dallas Heart Center at 314-577-5674.