Prenatal consequences of ­congenital heart disease on brain development

In fetuses with complex congenital heart disease (CHD), impaired brain growth and development starts in utero. A interplay between heart, brain, body placenta takes place the second third trimesters of pregnancy. Altered fetal cardiovascular hemodynamics due to differnt types CHD lead altered cerebral, placental perfusion, all factors contributing maturational delay development. Impaired cerebral oxygenation nutritive energy supply affects leads a developmental 3–4 weeks until birth. Comparable preterm infants, similar pathogenic mechanisms an encephalopathy on micro- macrostructural level. After birth palliative or corrective cardiac surgery is needed, which further contributes consequences neurodevelopmental outcome.