Maternal congenital heart disease and risk of child developmental vulnerability in early school age: A population-based cohort study
Abstract
BACKGROUND: While maternal congenital heart disease (CHD) is associated with increased risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes, its impact on long-term child development remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate if in-utero exposure to maternal CHD is associated with child developmental vulnerability at school entry. METHODS AND FINDINGS: This population-based cohort study included 256,629 singleton offspring born in British Columbia, Canada between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 2016, with follow up through linkage to teacher-rated Early Development Instrument (EDI) surveys administered in kindergarten around 5-6 years of age. Over 90% children enrolled in participating schools completed the questionnaire. Developmental vulnerability was defined as a score
Fields of Study & Subjects
Congenital Heart Disease Studies
Cardiovascular Issues in Pregnancy
Gestational Diabetes Research and Management
Publication details
- Journal / source
- PLoS Medicine
- Publisher
- Public Library of Science (PLoS)
- Volume
- 23
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- e1004890–e1004890
- Publication date
- 2 July 2026
- Language
- EN