Analyzing of preoperative fidgety movements in infants with cyanotic and acyanotic congenital heart disease

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common type of congenital defects and its presence increases the risk of neurodevelopmental delay. Absence or abnormality of fidgety movements between the post-term 9-20 weeks suggests the presence of neurodevelopmental disorder. The aim of this study was to compare fidgety movements (FMs) and gross motor development in the preoperative period in cyanotic and acyanotic CHD infants. 19 acyanotic infants with a mean age of 15 weeks and 13 cyanotic CHD infants with a mean age of 16 weeks were included in this study. Of the babies followed, 20 were girls and 12 were boys. Demographics, clinical features and laboratory values of the infants were recorded. Motor Optimality Score (MOS) was calculated by recording the FMs of the infants with the video recording method. Gross motor development was assessed with the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS). As a result of the study, no difference was found between the MOS of cyanotic and acyanotic CHD infants (p>0.05). AIMS percentages for which we compared gross motor development values were lower in the acyanotic CHD group (p<0.05). Hemoglobin and hematocrit values were found to be higher (p=0.002, p=0.001, respectively), and platelet and oxygen saturation values were found to be lower (p=0.006, p<0.001, respectively) in cyanotic CHD infants than in acyanotic CHD infants. Regardless of the presence of cyanosis in infants with heart disease, it is important to evaluate gross motor development and monitor oxygen saturation.