Infants and young children with congenital heart disease (CHD) commonly experience growth retardation, causes are multifactorial including decreased oral intake secondary to feeding difficulties.

The aim of this investigation was to assess the degree of growth failure in children attending the Queensland Paediatric Cardiac Service to inform further research and treatment within this service.

Growth parameters, feeding practices and previous nutritional intervention information was collected on 76 patients aged 0-3 years with CHD on admission to hospital for cardiac surgery. Data were collected via parents/carers completion of written questionnaires, reported growth and feeding history on admission. Data were examined using descriptive statistics, CDC 2000 growth charts and EpiInfo software.

In this population (n=77), 58% were male with a median age of 4 months (range 0-33 months). Median hospital length of stay was 10.5 days (range 4-50 days). Poor growth was demonstrated in this group with a mean weight z score -1.4 (SD±1.2), mean height z score -0.9 (SD±1.1) and mean weight for height z score -0.9 (SD±1.5). Using WHO cut-off’s for z scores (<-2 SD), 32% had wasting, 12% had stunting and 28% malnutrition. A significant proportion of patients were ≤3rd percentile for weight (48%); height (25%) and combined weight for height (35%) with 39% crossing down weight percentiles pre-admission. 21% of patients had a naso-gastric tube for feeding and 28% were on fortified feeds on admission.

Growth failure is common in infants and children with CHD. Further research is underway linking cardiac diagnosis, oral feeding difficulties and growth failure. 23/1 DG