Living Longer, Living Better Research Group (Boyett Anderson)

Childhood heart problems can affect children’s development and mental health. The Living Longer Living Better research group studies these connections and works to find ways to help each child reach their full potential.

Congenital heart defects (CHD) are the most common birth defects. One out of every 100 babies born in the United States has a heart that formed abnormally. There are many kinds of heart defects. Different defects cause different symptoms. Some babies may have no symptoms at all, some may not eat and grow well, some may have low oxygen levels and some may need emergency care to stay alive.

Many of these babies will need heart surgery. One out of every four babies with CHD will have heart surgery before their first birthday. Most of these children will live long, productive lives. However, children who have heart surgery are more likely to have problems learning to walk, talk and eat. They may have trouble paying attention at home and at school and are more likely to have autism and anxiety. Children who have heart surgery before their first birthday and those who have low oxygen levels are the most likely to have these sorts of neurodevelopmental problems.

Our group does clinical and quality improvement work. We study how to identify patients who will likely struggle, reduce or eliminate risk factors, and support their development and mental health. We seek to understand how to effectively communicate risks and opportunities with family members and clinicians, facilitate follow up screening and services, and promote long term quality of life.

We partner with local, regional, and national colleagues and institutions, including Children’s Wisconsin, the Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Outcomes Collaborative, and the Single Ventricle Outcomes Network (SV ONE). We welcome conversations with interested collaborators.