Children who are born with cardiac defects are known to be at greater risk for neurodevelopmental impairment later in life. Conotruncal heart abnormalities are one type of heart defect that typically requires surgery after birth. A recent study has suggested that in before birth children with conotruncal heart abnormalities have enlarged part of the brain known as the cavum septum pellucidum (CSP). The purpose of this project is to determine the relationship between CSP size and neurodevelopmental outcomes of children born with conotruncal heart abnormalities in Manitoba.
For this project we will use historical data to determine neurodevelopmental scores of children with conotruncal heart abnormalities. We will then look at their ultrasound images and measure the CSP size to determine if there is any associated between low neurodevelopmental scores and CSP size.
The results from this project could help physicians better understand outcomes of children with conotruncal heart abnormalities, provide a better predictor of outcomes in these children and allow for earlier interventions for these children to improve their outcomes.