Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 24, 2025

Author Spotlight: Simulating Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Using a Neonatal Piglet Model
04:55

Author Spotlight: Simulating Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Using a Neonatal Piglet Model

Published on: May 26, 2023

1.1K

Standardized Feeding Approach Mitigates Weight Loss in Infants with Congenital Heart Disease

Amy Jo Lisanti1, Melanie Savoca2, J William Gaynor3

  • 1Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Nursing and Clinical Care Services, Philadelphia, PA; University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA.

The Journal of Pediatrics
|December 28, 2020
PubMed

Insights

A standardized nutrition pathway improved weight gain in infants with congenital heart disease (CHD). This approach reduced weight loss during hospital stays for infants undergoing neonatal cardiac surgery.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Clinical Nutrition
  • Health Services Research

Background:

  • Infants with congenital heart disease (CHD) often experience growth challenges.
  • Effective nutritional management is crucial for improving outcomes in these vulnerable infants.
  • Standardized clinical pathways can optimize care delivery and patient results.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the impact of a standardized feeding approach on weight-for-age Z score (WAZ) changes in infants with CHD during their hospital stay.
  • To evaluate the effectiveness of a clinical nutrition pathway in improving nutritional outcomes for infants undergoing neonatal cardiac surgery.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective cohort study analyzed 987 infants undergoing neonatal cardiac surgery between 2009 and 2018.
  • Weight-for-age Z score (WAZ) changes over hospital length of stay (HLOS) were compared before and after the implementation of a standardized feeding pathway in 2013.
  • Linear mixed-effects models were used to estimate WAZ change, adjusting for patient characteristics.

Main Results:

  • The standardized feeding approach was associated with a significantly higher WAZ change over HLOS (β = 0.16, P < .001), indicating reduced WAZ loss.
  • Infants with single ventricle CHD showed a greater improvement in WAZ change compared to those with 2 ventricle CHD.
  • The pathway demonstrated effectiveness for both single and two-ventricle CHD categories.

Conclusions:

  • A structured nutrition therapy approach using a standardized pathway significantly improves weight change outcomes in infants with CHD before hospital discharge.
  • This standardized pathway is beneficial for infants with both single and 2 ventricle CHD requiring neonatal cardiac surgery.
  • Implementing organized nutrition interventions can positively impact growth trajectories in critically ill infants.
Abstract

Keywords:
congenital heart diseasecritical carefeedinggrowthnutrition

More Related Videos

Multidisciplinary Approach to Obesity Management: A Case Report05:10

Multidisciplinary Approach to Obesity Management: A Case Report

Published on: May 30, 2025

664
A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect05:04

A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect

Published on: September 22, 2023

702

Related Concept Videos

Enteral Nutrition II: Nasointestinal and Gastrostomy Feeding01:15

Enteral Nutrition II: Nasointestinal and Gastrostomy Feeding

Enteral nutrition encompasses various methods of delivering nutrition directly to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, bypassing traditional oral intake. It is particularly beneficial for patients who cannot eat by mouth but have a functioning digestive system. Key methods include nasointestinal feeding, gastrostomy, and jejunostomy, each suited to different clinical scenarios based on the patient's needs and condition.
Nasointestinal Feeding
Nasointestinal feeding involves placing a tube...
476
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.
112
Mitral Regurgitation IV: Nursing Management01:28

Mitral Regurgitation IV: Nursing Management

Mitral regurgitation (MR) is a condition where the mitral valve does not close properly, leading to the backward flow of blood from the left ventricle into the left atrium during systole. This condition can arise from various causes, including rheumatic fever, infective endocarditis, or degenerative valve disease. Effective nursing management is crucial to optimizing patient outcomes and involves comprehensive assessment and targeted interventions.Comprehensive Patient AssessmentA detailed...
193
Drug Dosing: Infants and Children01:29

Drug Dosing: Infants and Children

Pediatric patient dosages diverge from adults due to disparities in body surface area, total body water, and extracellular fluid per kilogram of body weight. The dosing regimen considers the variations in pharmacokinetics and pharmacology across distinct age groups, encompassing preterm newborns, infants, young children, older children, and adolescents. Calculation of pediatric patient doses is predicated on determining body surface area, which exhibits a superior correlation with the child's...
109
Drug Dosing: Obese Patients01:21

Drug Dosing: Obese Patients

In the United States, obesity is a prominent concern. It is linked to heightened mortality rates due to increased occurrences of conditions such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and diabetes compared to nonobese individuals. A patient is classified as obese if their actual body weight surpasses the ideal or desirable body weight by 20%, based on Metropolitan Life Insurance Company data. Ideal body weights consider average weights and heights for males and females...
88
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...
94