Abstract
Paediatric Dietitians from all 11 of the paediatric cardiology surgical centres in the United Kingdom contributed to the guideline development. In all, 33% of participants had 9 or more years of experience working with infants with CHD. By the end of rounds 1 and 2, 76 and 96% of participants, respectively, were in agreement with the statements. Three statements where consensus was not achieved by the end of round 2 were discussed and agreed at the final expert group meeting. Nutrition guidelines were developed for infants with CHD awaiting surgery, using a modified Delphi process, incorporating the best available evidence and expert opinion with regard to nutritional support in this group.
Highlights
Despite improvements in the medical and surgical management of infants with CHD, growth failure before surgery in many infants continues to be a significant concern
To develop the nutritional pathway to be used by paediatric dietitians, and other healthcare professionals, in the support of infants with CHD before surgery we used the modified Delphi consensus method described by Keller et al[33] (Fig 1)
The best available evidence from the literature relating to nutritional support of infants with CHD3,4,14,27–31,36–69 was used to develop a nutritional pathway for infants with CHD
Summary
Despite improvements in the medical and surgical management of infants with CHD, growth failure before surgery in many infants continues to be a significant concern. A nutritional pathway was developed, the aim of which was to provide a structured approach to nutritional care for infants with CHD awaiting surgery. Conclusions: Nutrition guidelines were developed for infants with CHD awaiting surgery, using a modified Delphi process, incorporating the best available evidence and expert opinion with regard to nutritional support in this group. During the past 50 years, there have been significant improvements in the medical and surgical management of CHD, with more children reaching adulthood.[1] With improved survival comes an increasing burden of morbidity. Persistent malnutrition in childhood is important as it has been linked to shorter adult height, increased all-cause mortality,[8] as well as poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes among young children with CHD.[9]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
