Three main research objectives are proposed:~Objective 1: The investigators will determine the biological age in patients with CHD across the lifespan, using established and novel biomarkers for aging, and assess the disparity with chronological age.~Objective 2: The investigators will identify clinical, behavioral, psychological and social predictors of aging in patients with CHD.~Objective 3: The investigators will investigate the difference in biological-chronological age disparity between patients with CHD and healthy counterparts.~Three studies will be performed to investigate these objectives:~Study 1: Newborns with CHD~- The aim is to (i) compare telomere length in newborns with or without CHD; and (ii) to assess pregnancy-related/clinical and mother-related (behavioral, psychological, social) predictors of telomere length in newborns with CHD.~Study 2: (Young) adults with CHD~- This study aims to (i) compare telomere length in age strata of (young) adults with or without CHD; (ii) to assess clinical, behavioral, psychological, and social predictors of telomere length in patients with CHD; and (iii) to explore the relationship with functional outcomes, such as frailty and cognition.~Study 3: Epigenetic clock in adults with CHD~- This study focusses on (i) assessing the biological age by measuring DNA methylation in mild, moderate and complex heart defects, and (ii) determining if the disparity between biological and chronological age is a function of anatomical complexity and functional status of the patients.
Many childhood-onset diseases used to be lethal. Improved life expectancy yield that most patients can survive into adulthood, to date. However, survivors of childhood-onset diseases often develop morbidities that suggest accelerated aging. Indeed, age-related conditions are observed sooner and more frequently in people with childhood-onset diseases. Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a typical example of a childhood-onset disease and is the most common birth defect, comprising a spectrum of mild, moderate and complex heart defects. Recent studies showed that age-related morbidities occur more often and at an earlier age in these patients. The overall goal of this project is to quantify and understand disparities in chronological and biological age over the lifespan in CHD patients.