Developmental delay in infants with congenital heart disease. Correlation with hypoxemia and congestive heart failure.

The mental and motor development of 173 infants with congenital heart disease was assessed by means of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development and clinical neurological examinations. The relationship between age, sex, congestive heart failure, hypoxemia, hospitalization, and test results was evaluated. The presence of congestive heart failure was found to be significantly associated with both mental and motor development delay. Hypoxemia and hospitalization were associated with delayed motor development. Developmental delay could be recognized as early as 2 months of age.