Dextro-Transposition of Great Arteries and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes: A Review of the Literature
Kalliopi Kordopati-Zilou,
Theodoros Sergentanis,
Panagiota Pervanidou,
Danai Sofianou-Petraki,
Konstantinos Panoulis,
Nikolaos Vlahos,
Makarios Eleftheriades
Affiliations
Kalliopi Kordopati-Zilou
“Maternal-Fetal Medicine” MSc, 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aretaieio Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11528 Athens, Greece
Theodoros Sergentanis
Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11528 Athens, Greece
Panagiota Pervanidou
Laboratory of Developmental Psychophysiology and Stress Research, Unit of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, First Department of Pediatrics, “Aghia Sophia” Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
Danai Sofianou-Petraki
First Department of Pediatrics, “Aghia Sophia” Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
Konstantinos Panoulis
“Maternal-Fetal Medicine” MSc, 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aretaieio Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11528 Athens, Greece
Nikolaos Vlahos
“Maternal-Fetal Medicine” MSc, 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aretaieio Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11528 Athens, Greece
Makarios Eleftheriades
“Maternal-Fetal Medicine” MSc, 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aretaieio Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11528 Athens, Greece
Background: Arterial switch operation (ASO) is the gold-standard surgical approach for dextro-transposition of the great arteries (D-TGA). It is performed during the neonatal period and has almost diminished the previously high mortality rate (from 90% if left untreated to <0.5%). Despite the impressively high survival rates, the surgical procedure itself—along with the chronic post-operative complications and the perinatal impaired cerebral oxygen delivery—introduces multiple and cumulative risk factors for neurodevelopmental impairment. Method: This study is a review of English articles, using PUBMED and applying the following search terms, “transposition of the great arteries”, “neurodevelopment”, “autism”, “cerebral palsy”, and “attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder”. Data were extracted by two authors. Results: Even though general IQ is mainly found within the normal range, D-TGA children and adolescents display reduced performance in the assignments of executive functions, fine motor functions, attention, working memory, visual–spatial skills, and higher-order language skills. Moreover, D-TGA survivors may eventually struggle with inferior academic achievements and psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, and ADHD. Conclusions: The existing literature concerning the neurodevelopment of D-TGA patients suggests impairment occurring during their lifespan. These findings underline the importance of close developmental surveillance so that D-TGA patients can better reach their full potential.