Six-Year Neurodevelopmental Outcomes for Children With Single-Ventricle Physiology

OBJECTIVES: To determine if neurodevelopmental deficits in children with single-ventricle physiology change with age and early developmental scores predict 6-year outcomes.

METHODS: In the Single Ventricle Reconstruction Trial, Bayley Scales of Infant Development, Second Edition, were administered at 14 months of age, and parents completed the Behavior Assessment System for Children, Second Edition (BASC-2) annually from the ages of 2 to 6 years. Scores were classified as average, at risk, or impaired. We calculated sensitivities, specificities, and positive and negative predictive values of earlier tests on 6-year outcomes.

RESULTS: Of 291 eligible participants, 244 (84%) completed the BASC-2 at 6 years; more Single Ventricle Reconstruction participants than expected on the basis of normative data scored at risk or impaired on the BASC-2 Adaptive Skills Index at that evaluation (28.7% vs 15.9%; P < .001). Children with Adaptive Skills Composite scores <2 SD below the mean at the age of 6 were more likely to have had delayed development at 14 months, particularly on the Psychomotor Development Index (sensitivity of 79%). However, the positive predictive value of the 14-month Mental Development Index and Psychomotor Development Index for 6-year BASC-2 Adaptive Scores was low (44% and 36%, respectively). Adaptive Skills Composite score impairments at the age of 6 were poorly predicted by using earlier BASC-2 assessments, with low sensitivities at the ages of 3 (37%), 4 (48%), and 5 years (55%).

CONCLUSIONS: Many children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome who have low adaptive skills at the age of 6 years will not be identified by screening at earlier ages. With our findings, we highlight the importance of serial evaluations for children with critical congenital heart disease throughout development.