An antenatal marker of neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants with congenital heart disease

OBJECTIVE: Prenatal exposures are known to alter fetal neurodevelopment and autonomic control. We aimed to explore the correlation between fetal autonomic activity, measured by fetal heart rate variability, and 18-month developmental outcome in subjects with congenital heart disease. STUDY DESIGN: From 2010–2013, 5 fetuses with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, 9 with transposition of the great arteries, and 9 with tetralogy of Fallot were included in this prospective cohort study. A maternal abdominal fetal electrocardiogram monitor recorded fetal heart rate at 34–38 weeks gestational age. We assessed associations between fetal heart rate parameters including interquartile range and standard deviation of the fetal RR intervals and 18-month Bayley Scales of Infant Development III scores using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Multivariable regression modeling identified predictors of neurodevelopmental scores. RESULTS: Fetal heart rate variability parameters at 34–38 weeks gestational age correlated with 18-month Cognition (r=0.47, p=0.03) and Motor scores (r=0.66, p=0.001). The interquartile range of the fetal RR intervals predicted Cognition (β=0.462, p=0.028, R(2)=0.282) and Motor (β=0.637, p<0.001, R(2)=0.542) scores. CONCLUSIONS: In fetuses with congenital heart disease, low heart rate variability at 34–38 weeks gestational age predicts diminished 18-month cognitive and motor performance. Prenatal autonomic activity may serve as a marker of early childhood development in these high-risk patients.