Evaluation of nutritional status and support in children with congenital heart disease

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Cardiology
• Nutritional Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a significant global health concern in infants.
• Malnutrition is a common complication in children with CHD, impacting growth and development.
• The interplay between CHD, pulmonary hypertension (PH), cyanosis, and nutritional status requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of malnutrition in infants with congenital heart disease (CHD).
• To compare nutritional status, caloric intake, and feeding support among different subgroups of CHD patients.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 125 infants under 6 months with CHD was categorized into four groups based on PH and cyanosis.
• Children were followed for 24 months, with assessments of malnutrition (weight-for-height <80%), caloric intake, and feeding methods.
• Statistical comparisons were made between the four defined groups.

Main Results:

• Moderate to severe malnutrition was significantly higher in infants with both PH and cyanosis (100%) compared to other groups.
• Low oral caloric intake was prevalent in infants with PH (71.4%) and PH with cyanosis (75%).
• Nutritional support, including food enrichment and enteral feeding, was more frequently utilized in infants with PH.

Conclusions:

• Malnutrition is a considerable issue in infants with CHD, with a higher prevalence in those experiencing PH.
• A significant proportion of these children suffer from inadequate caloric intake.
• There is a critical need for enhanced nutritional support strategies in infants with CHD, especially those with PH.