Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026
Analysis of Congenital Heart Defects in Mouse Embryos Using Qualitative and Quantitative Histological Methods
Published on: March 10, 2020
Prevalence, profile and predictors of malnutrition in children with congenital heart defects: a case-control
Christy A N Okoromah1, Ekanem N Ekure, Foluso E A Lesi
1Associate Professor and Consultant, Cardiology and Infectious Disease Unit, Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Surulere, Idi-Araba, Lagos, Nigeria. faimer2004_christy@yahoo.com
Insights
Severe malnutrition is highly prevalent in children with congenital heart defects (CHDs), particularly when associated with anemia and heart failure. Early weaning may indicate feeding challenges in these patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Nutritional Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are a significant global health concern.
- Malnutrition is a common complication in children with CHDs, impacting their growth and development.
- Understanding the prevalence and predictors of malnutrition is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and profile of severe malnutrition in children with CHDs.
- To identify predictors of severe malnutrition in this vulnerable population.
- To compare malnutrition rates between children with CHDs and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- A case-control observational study was conducted in Lagos, Nigeria.
- Participants included children aged 3-192 months with uncorrected symptomatic CHDs and matched healthy controls.
- Malnutrition was assessed using WHO/CDC z-scores, and predictors were analyzed via multivariate logistic regression.
Main Results:
- A significantly higher prevalence of malnutrition (90.4%) and severe malnutrition (61.2%) was observed in children with CHDs compared to controls.
- Wasting was more common in acyanotic CHDs, while stunting was more prevalent in cyanotic CHDs.
- Predictors of malnutrition included anemia, moderate to severe congestive heart failure (CHF), poor dietary fat intake, and prolonged unoperated disease.
Conclusions:
- Severe malnutrition is highly prevalent in children with CHDs preoperatively, often co-occurring with anemia and CHF.
- Early weaning practices may serve as an indicator of feeding difficulties associated with heart failure.
- Interventions targeting nutritional support and management of associated conditions are essential for improving outcomes in children with CHDs.
Objective:
To investigate the prevalence, profile and predictors of severe malnutrition in children with congenital heart defects (CHDs).
Design:
Case-control, observational study.
Setting:
Tertiary teaching hospital in Lagos, Nigeria (March 2006 to March 2008).
Participants:
Children aged 3-192 months with uncorrected symptomatic CHD and healthy controls, frequency matched for age and sex.
Main Outcome Measures:
Prevalence of malnutrition based on WHO/National Center for Health Statistics/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention z score ≤-2; weight for age, weight for height/length and height for age; proportions of underweight, wasting and stunting in cases and controls, and in acyanotic and cyanotic CHD; and predictors of malnutrition using multivariate logistic analysis.
Results:
90.4% of cases and 21.1% of controls had malnutrition (p=0.0001), and 61.2% and 2.6%, respectively, had severe malnutrition (p=0.0001). Wasting, stunting and underweight were identified in 41.1%, 28.8% and 20.5%, and 2.6%, 3.9% and 14.5% of cases and controls, respectively. Wasting was significantly higher (58.3%) in acyanotic CHD (p=0.0001), and stunting (68.0%) in cyanotic CHD (p=0.0001). Age at weaning was significantly lower in cases than controls (3.24±0.88 and 7.04±3.04 months, respectively; p=0.0001) and in acyanotic than cyanotic CHD (2.14±0.33 and 5.33±1.22 months, respectively; p=0.004). Predictors of malnutrition in CHD were anaemia, moderate to severe congestive heart failure (CHF), poor dietary intake of fat and prolonged unoperated disease.
Conclusion:
Severe malnutrition in association with anaemia and moderate to severe CHF is highly prevalent in CHD preoperatively in these children. Early weaning may be a marker of feeding difficulties in heart failure.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
01:27Mitral Stenosis IV: Nursing Management
01:22Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
01:27Heart Failure I: Introduction
01:30Heart Failure IV: Classification and Diagnostic Evaluation
01:28Anorexia Nervosa
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...