Management of the Preterm Infant with Congenital Heart Disease

Clin Perinatol. 2016 Mar;43(1):157-71. doi: 10.1016/j.clp.2015.11.011.

Abstract

The premature neonate with congenital heart disease (CHD) represents a challenging population for clinicians and researchers. The interaction between prematurity and CHD is poorly understood; epidemiologic study suggests that premature newborns are more likely to have CHD and that fetuses with CHD are more likely to be born premature. Understanding the key physiologic features of this special patient population is paramount. Clinicians have debated optimal timing for referral for cardiac surgery, and management in the postoperative period has rapidly advanced. This article summarizes the key concepts and literature in the care of the premature neonate with CHD.

Keywords: Cardiopulmonary bypass; Congenital heart disease; Congenital heart surgery; Low birth weight; Neonate; Prematurity.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / therapy
  • Cardiac Surgical Procedures*
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / therapy
  • Disease Management
  • Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / therapy
  • Gestational Age*
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Infant, Extremely Low Birth Weight
  • Infant, Extremely Premature
  • Infant, Low Birth Weight
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature
  • Leukomalacia, Periventricular / therapy
  • Retinopathy of Prematurity / therapy
  • Sepsis / therapy
  • Time-to-Treatment