Impact of nutritional support on length of hospitalization and mortality in children after open heart surgery

ABSTRACT

Background. Malnutrition is a common cause of morbidity in children with congenital heart disease (CHD). The aim of this study was to assess the impact of malnutrition and nutritional support on the length of hospitalization and mortality at the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) in children with CHD after undergoing surgery. Methods. Clinical records (2000-2008) of patients £3 years old with CHD who were admitted for surgery were evaluated for nutritional status, nutritional support, and risk factors. Mortality was evaluated from the beginning of surgery and during the patient's stay at the PICU. Long-term hospitalization was considered according to the length of hospital stay on percentile >50. A multiple logistic regression model was used. Results. Two hundred eighty nine patients were included. Factors related to mortality were malnutrition before surgery (OR 3.447; 95% CI 1.006-11.812, p = 0.049), early or delayed enteral nutrition (OR 0.007; 95% CI 0.000-0.097, p = 0.000, and OR 0.011; 95% CI 0.001-0.126, p = 0.000, respectively), and early parenteral nutrition (OR 0.032; 95% CI 0.002-0.452, p = 0.000) vs. no nutritional support. Factors related to long-term stay were malnutrition at birth (OR 2.772; 95% CI 1.282-5.995, p = 0.010) and delayed parenteral nutrition (OR 12.049; 95% CI 1.626-94.724, p = 0.015). Conclusion. Malnutrition at birth and before surgery increases length of stay and mortality of children after open heart surgery. Early nutritional support reduces length of stay and mortality.