Jan 2nd, 2024

The management of Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) has been the focus of various studies, exploring different aspects ranging from stress biomarkers to specific conditions like Tetralogy of Fallot in neonates. These studies provide critical insights into both the physiological impacts on patients and their families, and the effectiveness of different management strategies.

In a study on stress biomarkers, particularly salivary cortisol levels, a prospective longitudinal study was conducted involving parents of infants with CHD post-surgery (1). The population studied comprised 40 parents, with the intervention being the measurement of cortisol levels. While a control group was not specified, the results of the study were significant. It was found that cortisol levels could predict post-traumatic stress symptoms in these parents. This finding is clinically significant as it suggests that cortisol levels could potentially be used to identify parents who are at risk of developing post-traumatic stress in the context of their infant's CHD.

Another aspect of CHD management is the treatment of symptomatic neonatal Tetralogy of Fallot (sTOF). A population-based cohort study was conducted to examine the impact of gestational age, size, and management strategies on outcomes in infants with sTOF (2). The study did not explicitly mention a control group and involved a sample of 345 infants. The interventions analyzed were management strategies and outcomes based on variables like gestational age and birth weight. Interestingly, the study found that the management strategy did not significantly differ based on gestational age or birth weight. However, outcomes were more closely associated with patient-specific risk factors such as prematurity and the presence of major anomalies. This suggests that in cases of sTOF, patient-specific factors, particularly prematurity, play a more significant role in determining outcomes than the management strategy itself. This insight is crucial for clinicians in tailoring treatment approaches for infants with sTOF, highlighting the importance of individualized patient care.

1. Lisanti AJ, Dong F, Demianczyk A, Vogiatzi MG, Quinn R, Chittams J, et al. Salivary Diurnal Cortisol Predicts Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms in Parents of Infants With Congenital Heart Disease. Biol Res Nurs. 2024:10998004231224791.

2. Duhaney L, Steurer MA, Baer R, Chambers C, Rajagopal S, Mercer-Rosa LM, et al. The Association of Gestational Age and Size with Management Strategies and Outcomes in Symptomatic Neonatal Tetralogy of Fallot. Pediatr Cardiol. 2024.