Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Pediatrics

Background: children born with heart disease are considered part of a nutritional high-risk group. Even the mildest congenital heart disease is reflected in some degree of adverse effect on child growth .There is loss of body mass which affects the organism as a whole, including the heart and respiratory muscles,thus compromising the myocardial and ventilatory functions, healing capacity and immunological competency, with the consequent increase in risk of infection.They have a high incidence of protein energy malnutrition, which contributes to poor outcome.In addition, poor nutrition is associated with worse outcomes in children undergoing surgery and those with critical illness Aim of the Work: to characterize nutritional status and variables that predict nutritional changes in children with congenital heart disease.Methods:we conducted this cross sectional study at the outpatient ,inpatients and cardiology departemenet of pediatric hospital ,cairo university among 500 children aged from 3months to 12 years of both sex .nutritional assessment for this children using a questionnaire was done. Results: the most important predictors to low BMI are caloric intake , wasting , edema ,MUAC Z score. the most important predictors for low body weight was found BF, caloric intake, wasting, prolonged time of meal, TSF z score and MUAC z score Conclusion:children with congenital heart diseases were malnourished

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