Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 9, 2026

Implantation of Total Artificial Heart in Congenital Heart Disease
07:27

Implantation of Total Artificial Heart in Congenital Heart Disease

Published on: July 18, 2014

25.2K

Feeding dysfunctions and failure to thrive in neonates with congenital heart diseases

Giovanna Mangili1, Elena Garzoli1, Youcef Sadou1

  • 1Local Health Unit Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo. gmangili@asst-pg23.it.

La Pediatria Medica E Chirurgica : Medical and Surgical Pediatrics
|June 7, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Optimizing nutrition for neonates with congenital heart disease (CHD) is crucial for surgical outcomes and cognitive development. Early enteral nutrition, including breastfeeding, is recommended despite challenges like necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Clinical Nutrition

Background:

  • Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common neonatal malformation, with outcomes influenced by cardiac structures and functional impact.
  • Nutritional management is vital in CHD, impacting pre- and post-surgical outcomes and potentially long-term cognitive development.
  • Current feeding protocols for neonates with CHD lack standardization, leading to wide variations in clinical practice.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the critical role of nutrition in managing neonates with congenital heart disease.
  • To discuss the benefits of early enteral nutrition and breastfeeding in CHD patients.
  • To address challenges and obstacles in implementing standardized feeding practices for neonates with CHD.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature and guidelines, including recommendations from the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition.
  • Analysis of the impact of nutritional status on surgical outcomes and long-term cognitive development in children with CHD.
  • Examination of feeding-related complications, such as necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), and preventive strategies.

Main Results:

  • Adequate caloric intake, particularly protein, is essential for improving patient outcomes during pre- and post-surgical periods.
  • Early enteral nutrition is recommended, even for severe CHD forms like univentricular disease, to improve outcomes.
  • Breastfeeding may reduce the incidence of NEC, a significant complication of early feeding in these vulnerable infants.

Conclusions:

  • Standardized feeding protocols and caloric goals are needed for neonates with CHD.
  • Early nutritional intervention, including breastfeeding, is crucial for improving outcomes and preventing long-term cognitive issues.
  • Addressing feeding difficulties and ensuring nutritional support post-discharge are essential components of comprehensive CHD care.

More Related Videos

A Rat Model of Pressure Overload Induced Moderate Remodeling and Systolic Dysfunction as Opposed to Overt Systolic Heart Failure07:13

A Rat Model of Pressure Overload Induced Moderate Remodeling and Systolic Dysfunction as Opposed to Overt Systolic Heart Failure

Published on: April 30, 2020

6.9K
Author Spotlight: Investigating HR-Dependent Cardiac Function in Mouse Models Through a Novel Atrial-Pacing Approach07:49

Author Spotlight: Investigating HR-Dependent Cardiac Function in Mouse Models Through a Novel Atrial-Pacing Approach

Published on: July 21, 2023

2.0K

Related Concept Videos

Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology01:29

Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology

Systolic Heart Failure and Compensatory MechanismsSystolic heart failure (also termed HFrEF, Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction) is the most prevalent type of heart filure. It results in a decreased volume of blood being pumped from the ventricle. The aortic arch and carotid sinuses have baroreceptors that detect reduced blood pressure, triggering the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to release epinephrine and norepinephrine. Initially, this response aims to boost heart rate and...
978
Pathophysiology of Heart Failure01:17

Pathophysiology of Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) is a progressive syndrome involving ventricles that leads to inadequate cardiac output. It can be classified based on location and output or ejection fraction. Ejection fraction (EF) is an essential measurement in the diagnosis and surveillance of HF. Reduced EF corresponds to systolic heart failure (HFrEF). However, HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is becoming increasingly prevalent. Also known as diastolic HF, this form of HF is related to aging. The...
3.9K
Heart Failure I: Introduction01:27

Heart Failure I: Introduction

Heart failure refers to a clinical syndrome caused by structural or functional cardiac disorders that prevent the heart from pumping an adequate amount of blood to meet the body's metabolic needs. This condition often arises from myocardial infarction or ischemia, leading to decreased cardiac output, reduced tissue perfusion, impaired gas exchange, fluid volume imbalance, and decreased functional ability.Heart failure can result from disruptions in the mechanisms that regulate cardiac output...
927
Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies01:22

Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies

Additional therapies for treating patients with heart failure (HF) may include procedural interventions, supplemental oxygen, the management of sleep disorders, and nutritional therapy.Procedural InterventionsImplantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator: For patients at risk of life-threatening arrhythmias due to severe left ventricular dysfunction, an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) can detect and terminate these arrhythmias, preventing sudden cardiac death and improving survival rates.
368
Heart Failure Drugs: Diuretics01:22

Heart Failure Drugs: Diuretics

Heart failure and kidney perfusion are interconnected in a complex way. Reduced renal perfusion and venous congestion are two significant factors that contribute to renal dysfunction in heart failure. The kidneys, primarily responsible for fluid balance in the body, are adversely affected due to compromised cardiac output and increased venous pressure. In response to reduced renal perfusion, the kidneys activate neurohumoral mechanisms to restore balance. However, these mechanisms can be...
990
Heart Failure V: Medical Management01:30

Heart Failure V: Medical Management

Medical Management of Acute Decompensated Heart Failure (ADHF)The primary goals of therapy for patients hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) include:Relieving symptomsOptimizing volume statusSupporting oxygenation and ventilationMaintaining cardiac output (CO) and end-organ perfusionIdentifying and addressing the cause of ADHFPreventing complicationsProviding patient education on factors precipitating HF exacerbationPlanning for dischargeOngoing monitoring and assessment...
342