Prevalence of malnutrition in children with congenital heart disease

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of malnutrition in children with congenital heart disease (CHD). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 children diagnosed with CHD who were being managed in pediatric cardiology clinics. As part of the study, various anthropometric measurements such as height, weight, and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) were recorded for each child. The assessment of malnutrition was determined based on the Z score, where a Z score below -2 denoted moderate to severe malnutrition, and a Z score below -1 indicated mild malnutrition. Results: There were 300 participants in the research who had been diagnosed with congenital cardiac disease, and 59% of them were men. The median age ranged from 17.8 to 14 months. The study population had an overall malnutrition prevalence of 86.7%. 13.3% of the total individuals were malnourished-free, 27% had minor malnutrition, 36.6% had middle-range malnutrition, and 23% had severe malnutrition. Analysis of group 1, which included patients with cyanotic illness and pulmonary hypertension, revealed that all of the patients were malnourished. 6.6% of the individuals in this category had moderate malnutrition, whereas 93.3% had severe malnutrition. Patients in Group 2 had cyanotic illness but no pulmonary hypertension.