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[The nutritional status of the child with congenital cardiopathy]
O C Thompson Chagoyán1, N Reyes Tsubaki, O L Rabiela Barrios
1Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital General de Zona 1A del I.M.S.S.
Insights
Congenital heart disease in children frequently leads to malnutrition, primarily affecting muscle and fat tissues. Most malnourished children have compensated nutritional status, impacting their overall health.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Nutritional Science
- Biostatistics
Background:
- Congenital heart disease (CHD) affects children globally, often presenting complex health challenges.
- Nutritional status is a critical factor in the growth and development of children with CHD.
- Understanding the prevalence and type of nutritional alterations is vital for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency and types of nutritional alterations in pediatric patients with congenital heart disease.
- To assess anthropometric measurements and biochemical markers indicative of malnutrition.
- To compare nutritional status between cyanotic and non-cyanotic CHD groups.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 66 children with CHD underwent anthropometric measurements (weight, size, arm circumference, skinfold thickness).
- Blood samples were analyzed for white blood cell count and albumin; urine was tested for creatinine.
- Calculations included arm muscle and fat areas, and the creatinine/height index, with statistical analysis using chi-squared or Fisher's exact tests.
Main Results:
- 50 out of 66 children (75.8%) exhibited malnutrition, with 26 compensated, 23 non-compensated, and 1 acute case.
- Diminished muscular area (85%) and fatty area (97%) were prevalent, alongside a low creatinine/height index (94%).
- No significant nutritional differences were observed between cyanotic and non-cyanotic CHD subgroups.
Conclusions:
- Chronic malnutrition is a common complication in children diagnosed with congenital heart disease.
- The majority of malnutrition cases in this cohort were compensated, indicating a subtle but persistent issue.
- Nutritional deficits primarily manifest as reductions in both fatty and muscular tissue reserves.
Objective:
To know the frequency and type of nutritional alterations of children with congenital heart disease.
Material And Methods:
Sixty six children with congenital heart disease were studied. MEASUREMENTS were: weight, size, mid arm circumference, tricipital and subscapular skinfold thickness. Blood samples for white blood cells count, and albumin were taken and urine was collected for determination of creatinine. Muscular and fat areas of the arm and creatinine/height index were calculated. In order to compare the children with both cyanotic and non-cyanotic types of heart diseases chi 2 test or Fisher's exact test, ware used.
Results:
41 girls and 25 boys, 42 with acyanotic and 24 cyanotic heart disease. 50 children were malnourished (26 compensated, 23 non-compensated and one acute); 16 were normal. 85% of the children presented diminished muscular area and 97% diminished fatty area. The creatinine/height index was diminished in 94% of the cases. No significant differences were demonstrated between both groups.
Conclusion:
chronic malnutrition in children with congenital heart disease is frequent. Most of the cases with malnutrition are compensated. This poor nutritional status is at the expense of fatty and muscular tissues.