Factors influencing adequate protein and energy delivery among critically ill children with heart disease in pediatric intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Inadequate nutrition delivery in critically ill children has shown associated with poor clinical outcomes. Therefore, identifying barriers to deliver adequate nutrition is vital. The aim of this study was to identify factors influencing adequate protein and energy delivery among critically ill children with heart disease in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).

METHODS

This single-centre prospective study, involved children aged from birth to 3 years old, admitted to PICU longer than 72 hours. They received either enteral nutrition (EN) or combination of EN and partial parenteral nutrition (PPN). Clinical and nutrition delivery characteristics were recorded from admission until transferred out of PICU. Multiple regression analysis at significant level p < 0.05 were used to identify independent risk factors for lower protein and energy intake.

RESULTS

One hundred and thirty-nine patients were included in this study with median age 6.5 (1.8-20.6) months and median PICU length of stay of 6 (4-7) days. The median energy and protein adequacy were 83.2% and 46.7%, respectively. In multivariable analysis, children who underwent surgery (AOR 0.97; 95% CI 0.27-0.75; p = 0.041), with fluid restriction (AOR 0.97; 95% CI 0.25-0.73; p = 0.041), longer length of PICU stay (AOR 0.35; 95% CI 0.18-0.64; p = 0.001) and longer feeding interruptions (AOR 3.57; 95% CI 1.39-9.15; p = 0.008) were more likely to have lower energy intake. Children at risk of malnutrition (weight-for-age Z score of < -2 SD) (AOR 2.54; 95% CI 1.12 to 5.77; p = 0.026) and longer duration of mechanical ventilation (AOR 0.73; 95% CI 0.53 to 0.98; p = 0.041) were more likely to have lower protein intake.

CONCLUSION

This study highlighted the factors influencing adequate protein and energy delivery in critically ill children with heart disease in PICU. Strategies to improve the nutrition delivery in this group of patients should be outlined and implemented by the dietitians along with multidisciplinary team.