Feeding problems in children with congenital heart disease: the impact on energy intake and growth outcome.

Cross-sectional data on growth outcome, upper-arm measurements and energy intake have been analysed according to the presence or absence of early feeding problems and poor appetite in 40 children (0.9-13 years) with congenital heart disease (CHD). At the time of study, refusal to eat or poor appetite was reported as a significant problem in 19 children and subnormal height and/or weight were recorded in 11 children. The children ate considerably less calories than recommended for healthy children. The cross-sectional analyses showed that children with poor appetite had significantly (P less than 0.05 and P less than 0.01) lower outcome values of growth and upper-arm measurements than their disabled counterparts with no feeding problems and good appetite. Children with feeding problems also tended to eat less than children without feeding problems. For most parents (65%) feeding of infants and children with CHD involves difficulties, time and anxiety. This study has shown that the parents' experience about feeding problems may be a good predictor for low growth outcome and low voluntary food intake of the child. Whenever feeding problems are reported, nutritional intervention should be offered in order to increase the caloric intake of the child and to develop a sound feeding relationship in the family.