Growth and Nutritional Intake of Infants with Univentricular Circulation.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the nutritional status and early nutritional intake of infants with univentricular congenital heart disease. STUDY DESIGN: The included infants underwent a Norwood procedure or hybrid intervention (stage 1) within the first 6 weeks of life, between January 2014 and January 2019, at Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin. Demographic, anthropometric, nutritional intake, and morbidity data were collected. RESULTS: Data were collected on 90 infants and 1886 neonatal admission days. There was a significant drop in mean weight-for-age z-score (WAZ) between measurements at birth, -0.01 and on discharge post stage 1 surgery -1.45 (P < .01). On hospital discharge (median hospital stay, 25 days) 32% of infants had a WAZ <-2 and 11% had a WAZ <-3. Pre-stage 1, 26% received trophic feeds and 39% received parenteral nutrition. Basal metabolic requirements and target caloric intake (120 kcal/kg) were met on 56% and 13% of admission days, respectively. Infants referred to a dietitian had a shorter time to any form of nutrition support, enteral feeds, and target caloric intake (P < .001, P = .016, and P = .048, respectively). At stage 3 (Fontan) surgery, 15% of infants were classified as stunted (length-for-age z-score [LAZ] <-2). CONCLUSIONS: The greatest decline in nutritional status occurs in the neonatal period, followed by significant growth stunting by the time of the Fontan procedure. Early involvement of dietitians is critical in the care of this nutritionally fragile group. With the currently low rate of preoperative nutritional support, there may be opportunities to improve intake at this critical stage.

Transition from tube feeding to oral feeding: experience in a tertiary care paediatric cardiology unit.

BACKGROUND: Home enteral tube feeding (HETF) is imperative for many infants and children with congenital heart disease (CHD). Tube weaning (TW) facilitates the progression from tube feeding to oral diet. There is limited literature on TW practices, protocols and success for children with CHD that have been tube fed. AIMS: The objective of this study is to assess the process of weaning HETF in a tertiary referral centre for paediatric CHD. Specifically, we aimed to assess the duration of HETF, duration of TW and the interventions involved. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical and dietetic records of all infants and children that were successfully weaned off HETF over a 12-month period from January 2015 to December 2015. RESULTS: There were 30 children included in the study, 9 boys and 21 girls. The diagnoses included 15 septal defects, 8 univentricular diagnosis and other diagnoses in 7 children. The median age at initiation of enteral tube feeding was 45 days (range 2-169). The median duration to wean from enteral tube feeding was 52 days (range 2-359). Number of dietetic consults required for successful TW varied among patients, median 5 (range 2-23). The number of days required for successful TW was associated with age and duration on HETF. Dietetic interventions included discontinuation of nutrient dense feeds, altering feed schedule and reduction of feed volume. CONCLUSIONS: Weaning HETF is possible in the outpatient setting. Early and frequent dietetic intervention is recommended to ensure prompt discontinuation of HETF when appropriate.

Correction to: Transition from tube feeding to oral feeding: experience in a tertiary care paediatric cardiology unit.

The original version of this article inadvertently used early drafts of Figs. 1 and 2. The correct figures are shown here. The original article has been corrected.