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Clinical Nutrition

Evaluation of nutritional status and support in children with congenital heart disease

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Abstract

Background/Objectives:

The objective of this disease was to determine the prevalence of malnutrition in children with congenital heart disease (CHD).

Subjects/Methods:

A total of 125 children with CHD, under 6 months of age, were divided into four groups: no pulmonary hypertension (PH) or cyanosis (group 1, n=47), isolated cyanosis (group 2, n=52), isolated PH (group 3, n=16), and PH and cyanosis (group 4, n=10). Six children died at 6 months (n=4), 12 months (n=1) and 19 months (n=1). The remaining children were followed-up for 24 months. Prevalence of moderate to severe malnutrition (weight/weight for height <80%), caloric intake and medications were compared between the four groups.

Results:

Moderate or severe malnutrition was more frequent in group 4 (100%) compared with others groups (group 1, 20%; group 2, 16.7% and group 3, 50%; P<0.05). Low oral caloric intake was more frequent in group 3 (71.4%) and group 4 (75%) than in group 1 (28%) and 2 (28.6%) (P<0.05). Food enrichment was practised in half of the children of group 4 and rarely in other groups (group 1, 15.8%; group 2, 8.6% and group 3, 11.1%; P<0.05). Enteral feeding was used more often in groups 3 (33.3%) and 4 (50%) than in groups 1 (15.8%) or 2 (14.3%; P<0.05).

Conclusions:

Moderate or severe malnutrition is present in 15% of children with CHD, and it is more frequent in case of PH. Half of these children demonstrate low caloric intake, whereas few have proper nutritional support.

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Acknowledgements

The first draft was written by TL. No honorarium or grant has been received by any of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, University Hospital, Bordeaux, France

    A Blasquez, H Clouzeau, R Enaud & T Lamireau

  2. Clinical Investigation Centre (CIC 0005), University Hospital, Bordeaux, France

    M Fayon & T Lamireau

  3. Pediatric Cardiology, University Hospital, Bordeaux, France

    J-B Mouton & J-B Thambo

  4. INSERM U897, Epidemiology of nutrition, ISPED, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France

    T Lamireau

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  1. A Blasquez
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  2. H Clouzeau
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  3. M Fayon
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  6. R Enaud
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Correspondence to T Lamireau.

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Blasquez, A., Clouzeau, H., Fayon, M. et al. Evaluation of nutritional status and support in children with congenital heart disease. Eur J Clin Nutr 70, 528–531 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2015.209

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2015.209

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