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Diet and growth in congenital heart disease
Insights
Dietary intake is not a primary factor limiting growth in children with congenital heart disease (CHD). Nutrient intake did not correlate with growth, even in those with growth failure.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Nutritional Science
- Growth and Development
Background:
- Congenital heart disease (CHD) can impact growth and development in children.
- Understanding factors influencing growth in pediatric CHD is crucial for management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between nutrient intake and growth parameters in children with CHD.
- To determine if dietary factors limit growth in this population.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 568 ambulatory children under 11 years with CHD were assessed.
- Evaluated were nutrient intake, body measurements, and cardiac status.
- Statistical analyses were performed on the entire group and subgroups.
Main Results:
- Overall body weight was below normal in children under 2 years old.
- No significant relationship was found between nutrient intake (calories, protein) and growth or weight gain.
- Cyanotic children exhibited diminished body size and growth compared to non-cyanotic children.
Conclusions:
- Nutrient intake is not a significant limiting factor for growth in children experiencing growth failure associated with CHD.
- Cardiac status, particularly cyanosis, appears to influence growth more than diet.
Abstract:
To assess the relationship between diet and growth in congenital heart disease we studied nutrient intake, body measurements, and cardiac status in 568 affected ambulatory patients less than 11 years of age. Most had mild heart disease, 104 were cyanotic, and only 10 were in congestive heart failure. Major disturbances of growth were uncommon. For the entire group body weight was below normal but only in those studied before 2 years of age; rate of growth and weight gain were normal over the period preceding the dietary study. There was no statistically significant relationship between intake of calories, protein, or other nutrients and growth or gain, analyzing the entire group, or analyzing patients subgrouped according to age, severity of heart disease, or severity of growth retardation. Body size and growth were diminished in cyanosed compared with noncyanosed children but cardiac status had no effect on nutrient intake. We conclude that in children with growth failure associated with congenital heart disease, nutrient intake is not an important factor limiting their growth.