Nutritional Status and Associated Factors Among Children With Congenital Heart Disease in Selected Governmental Hospitals and Cardiac Center, Addis Ababa Ethiopia.
Abstract Background: Children with congenital heart disease are at risk for poor growth and under-nutrition compared with healthy children. Inadequate energy intake, high energy requirement or both of these reasons are thought to be the reason for malnourishment of children with congenital heart disease. Therefore aim of this study to assess the nutritional status of children with congenital heart disease and associated factors in selected governmental hospitals and cardiac center Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.Method: Institutional based cross sectional study was include 395 samples among children age under15years old diagnosed with CHD. Data was collected with structured questionnaire and chart review. Samples were selected by consecutive sampling method and data was collected by face to face interview. Multivariable regression model was developed after p value <0.25 in the binary logistic analysis then after p value< 0.05 was taken as significant. Result: A total of 373 children were participated in this study. The prevalence of wasting and stunting was 144(38.6%) and 134(35.9%) respectively. The prevalence of underweight and malnutrition in children under 10years was 143(43.1%). Most of the children were diagnosed with VSD (36.7%). Children age group of 13months-5years were associated with wasting and underweight [AOR=0.434, 95%CI :( 0.231, 0.816)] and [AOR=0.360, 95%CI :( 0.183, 0.711)] respectively. Children diagnosed with PAH were 1.885 times more likely to be underweight [AOR=1.885, 95%CI :( 1.094, 3.246)]. When the hemoglobin level increases by every unit per g/dl the chance to be wasting and underweight decreases by 13.1% and 18.6%[AOR=0.869, 95%CI :( 0.792, 0.955)] and [AOR=0.869, 95%CI :( 0.792, 0.955)] respectively. The level of SPO2 is associated with stunting and underweight [AOR=0.970, 95%CI :( 0.943, 0.998)] and [AOR=0.970, 95%CI :( 0.943, 0.998)] respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence of malnutrition in children with CHD is pretty high. The responsible bodies should act on the accessibility of early treatment; focus on working in multidisciplinary way to prevent malnutrition and its consequences.