CVI News: Nurse Scientist Calls for Development of Early Interventions for Infants With Congenital Heart Disease

CHOP Nurse Scientist Amy Jo Lisanti, PhD, RN, CCNS, CCRN-K, is first author on a Science Advisory that examined why developmental care for infants with complex congenital heart disease should become an area of critical focus in the next decade.

A developmental care approach individualizes care through observation and interpretation to appropriately meet the expectations of an infant's developing brain. The advisory describes the burden of developmental disorders and delays in infants with congenital heart disease and identifies opportunities to improve neurodevelopmental outcomes using developmental care interventions. Dr. Lisanti and colleagues published a call to action for scientists, clinicians, and policy makers that prioritizes funding research dedicated to the care of children with complex congenital heart disease.

"Developing early interventions to promote brain maturation, mitigate risk factors, and change the trajectory of neurodevelopment are now urgent research priorities," said Dr. Lisanti, research assistant professor at University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing.

Read more in the Journal of the American Heart Association.