Objective:

To describe the neurodevelopmental status of patients with complex congenital heart disease (CCHD), who underwent cardiac surgery in the neonatal period.

Material and methods:

Through a longitudinal, observational and retrospective study, we included 14 patients. Neurodevelopment was assessed through the Bayley II child development scale, at the age of 30 months.

Results:

The average age at the time of surgery was 19 days. The most frequent heart disease was aortic coarctation (43%). Of the total, 29% had low cognitive development, and 50% with abnormal psychomotor development.

Conclusions:

Pediatric patients with CCHD after surgery have a high risk of presenting neurological deficit, predominantly in the psychomotor area.