First steps to a clinical research unit for developmental research in paediatric cardiology: conception and progress of the LEADER project (Long Term Early Development Research) in CHD.

Children with CHD and/or after cardiopulmonary resuscitation are at risk for developmental delay. Therefore, a detailed developmental assessment is necessary as a pre-requisite for individual developmental support. Our LEADER project has been shown to be feasible in a clinical setting and is the first step towards the establishment of a clinical research unit in our clinic with a focus on longitudinal research.