Abstract
Malnutrition is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in children with congenital heart disease (CHD). This study aimed to identify prevalence and predictors of malnutrition in Egyptian children with symptomatic CHD. This case-control study included 100 children with symptomatic CHD (76 acyanotic and 24 cyanotic) and 100 healthy children matched for age and sex as a control group. Clinical Evaluation and Laboratory Assessment of Nutritional Status were documented. Anthropometric measurements were recorded and Z scores for weight for age (WAZ), weight for height (WHZ), and height for age (HAZ) have been calculated. Malnutrition was defined as weight, height, and weight/height Z score ≤-2. The overall prevalence of malnutrition was 84.0% in patients with CHD and 20% in controls. Severe malnutrition was diagnosed in 71.4% of cases. All anthropometric measurements and levels of biochemical markers of nutritional state were significantly lower in the patients group compared to controls. In patients with acyanotic CHD, stunting was proportionately higher (57.89%) than in cyanotic CHD, while wasting was predominant (45.83%) in the latter. Malnutrition correlated significantly with low hemoglobin level, low arterial oxygen saturation, heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and poor dietary history. Malnutrition is a very common problem in children with symptomatic CHD and predicted by the presence of low hemoglobin level, low arterial oxygen saturation, heart failure, poor dietary history, and pulmonary hypertension.
Highlights
Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) are often associated with malnutrition and failure to thrive [1]
Malnutrition in children with CHD has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality as indicated by frequent hospitalization, poor surgical outcomes, persistent impairment of somatic growth, and increased death [6, 7]
A total of 100 children with symptomatic CHD were included in the study
Summary
Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) are often associated with malnutrition and failure to thrive [1]. Growth failure has been calculated with a prevalence of 64% in CHD patients in developed countries [2] being more severe in the developing regions, where malnutrition is common even in otherwise healthy children [3, 4]. Mechanisms for growth deficiency in CHD are multifactorial including associated chromosomal anomalies/genetic syndromes, inadequate nutrition due to feeding difficulties, and poor nutritional absorption from the digestive tract in chronic congestive heart failure (CHF). Malnutrition in children with CHD has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality as indicated by frequent hospitalization, poor surgical outcomes, persistent impairment of somatic growth, and increased death [6, 7]. Malnutrition is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in children with congenital heart disease (CHD). This study aimed to identify prevalence and predictors of malnutrition in Egyptian children with symptomatic CHD
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