Malnutrition in Congenital Heart Disease

Advanced corrective and palliative cardiovascular surgical procedures have significantly reduced mortality related to congenital heart disease. However, in infants with congenital heart disease, inadequate nutrient intake, insufficient nutrient absorption, and increased energy needs limit the ability to grow and develop. Infants with congenital heart disease have a high prevalence of malnutrition. Nutrition provides an opportunity to optimize growth, development, and quality of life in an era of increased survival. Early intervention and identification of at-risk patients has the potential to decrease morbidity and mortality related to malnutrition in infants with congenital heart disease. Currently, a paucity of research prohibits practitioners from providing comprehensive evidence-based care and compromises the care of the growing population of patients with congenital heart disease who survive infancy. The purpose of this article is to examine existing evidence that could contribute to guidelines for improving outcomes and data gaps that can be filled. This article establishes a malnutrition prevention/growth promotion protocol using risk assessments, estimation of resting energy expenditure, calorie and protein administration recommendations, growth charts, discharge planning, and follow-up care.