Catch-up Growth With Enteral Nutrition Support in Children With Congenital Heart Disease

Abstract

Objective: Malnutrition has long been recognized as a common systemic consequence of congenital heart defects. Nutritional support with higher-concentration formulas is needed. The aim of this study was to evalute feeding and growth pattern in malnutrition due to congenital heart defect.Methods: Sixty-one infants (41 asyanotic and 20 cyanotic) with congenital heart disease, who were supported with an enteral nutrition product because of malnutrition and followed in terms of growth development until 24 months of age were evaluated retrospectively. After malnutrition was detected, an energy intake of 140-150 kcal/kg/day was provided by supplemental enteral nutrition product until surgical or invasive interventional correction was applied. Anthropometric measurements, taken at three-month intervals were calculated according to Centres for Disease Control and Prevention data.Results: According to results at month 24, 17 patients had mild malnutrition, 4 patients had moderate malnutrition , and 1 had severe malnutrition. Malnutrition was detected in 36% of all patients. In the acyanotic group, as soon as congestive heart failure started at the 6th week, the growth has regressed. There was an increase in the curve two months after corrective surgery / catheter intervention. The height curves were parallel and elevated in both groups after month 3 and no statistically significant difference was found between the groups at month 2. Weight curves were found to be significantly lower, especially in complex cyanotic patients with palliative surgery.Conclusion: Malnutrition prevalence has decreased but continued in both groups despite enteral nutrition support. Especially in cyanotic heart diseases, the continuation of hypermetabolic status and higher caloric support is needed with close monitorization of malnutrition