ABSTRACT
Infants and children with congenital heart disease exhibit a range of delays in weight gain and growth. In some instances, the delay can be relatively mild, whereas in other cases, cause the failure to thrive.
OBJECTIVES
To determine the nutritional status and associated factors of pediatric patients with congenital heart disease.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A cross sectional analytical study was done over a period of 6months (Feb to Jul 2020). A total of 228 subjects with congenital heart disease that come to the cardiac center during the study period where included until the calculated sample size was attained. Data was collected from patient card and care givers of the children included in the study after obtaining their informed consent using data inquiry sheet.
RESULTS
A total of 228 children from age 3month to 17yrs. Most of the subjects had acyanotic heart disease accounting for 87.7%. The overall prevalence of wasting, underweight and stunting were 41.3%, 49.1% and 43% respectively. Among this children with congenital heart disease those with PAH were found more likely have wasting compared to those without PAH with an odds of 1.9 (95% CI: 1.0-3.4) and also greater chance of being stunted with an odds of 1.9 (95% CI: 1.0-3.4). children above 5years of age were 2.3 times more likely to be underweight.
CONCLUSION
Malnutrition is a major problem of patients with CHD. Pulmonary hypertension and older age are associated with increased risk of undernutrition.
KEYWORDS: Acyanotic, cyanotic, Pulmonary hypertension, underweight, wasting and stunting.