Babies born with heart defects or undergo heart surgery are at higher risk for developmental challenges as they age. The Cardiac Developmental Follow-Up Program at the Herma Heart Institute is there for those babies. Our program was the first of this kind in the United States. Our team of specialists will monitor and support your child's healthy development so they can live life to the fullest.

The Critical First Years
Skills like talking, crawling and playing can develop more slowly in children who were born with heart defects. They can also be at risk for other medical conditions.

Our team collaborates with the Healthy Outcomes Post-ICU Engagement (HOPE) Developmental Follow-up Clinic during the first two years of life. Then after two years, patients transition to our Tracking Outcomes of Cardiac Neurodevelopment (TOuCaN) Program. They will work with you to watch for any delays. They will also help grow your child’s abilities in many areas of life. We recommend that all children with complex heart disease or who undergo surgery participate in follow-up care even if they’re doing well. Our team is skilled in finding small signs of a problem that may respond well to early therapy. 

Resources as Your Child Matures
For children ages 3 and older, the Herma Heart Institute’s psychologists and neuropsychologists can help your child get ready to start school. They can also help as your child moves from elementary school to middle school to high school and beyond. Our psychologists work closely with school officials to teach them about your child's special needs. We also work with the Educational Achievement Partnership Program to make sure your child has any special services at school they may need.

We recommend children have an updated review at least once during the preschool, school-age and adolescent years. This is important because new issues may develop as school gets harder. Short-term psychotherapy services are also available for children with behavioral or emotional difficulties related to their heart disease.

Continued Cardiac Support Into Adulthood
For the Herma Heart Institute, our work does not end when your child turns 18. Adults with congenital heart disease may develop new or unique problems later in life. If they do, they need special care. The Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD) Program at the Herma Heart Institute is one of the leading ACHD programs in the nation. It is also the largest in Wisconsin. Our six board-certified ACHD specialists provide complete care as your child moves from teenager to adult.