FEEDING DIFICULTIES IN CHILDREN WHO UNDERWENT CARDIAC SURGERY FOR CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE IN KOSOVO
Idriz Berisha*, Ramush Bejiqi, Ragip Retkoceri, Hana Bejiqi, Armend Vuçiterna and Rinor Bejiqi
ABSTRACT
Objective is assessing the prevalence and predictors factors of feedings difficulties in children who underwent cardiac open heart surgery in neonatal period and infancy. We address selected nutritional and caloric requirements for children after cardiac surgery and explore nutritional interdependence with other system functions. Methods This was a retrospective study in a tertiary referral hospital, and prior approval from the institutional ethics committee was obtained. Information for 78 children (42 male and 36 female) was taken from patients charts. The presence of feeding difficulties or disorders was assessed by a questionnaire when the child was 3 years old. As a feeding disorder was defined as an inadequate food intake for age, failure of thrive or for few cases need for tube feeding. Data were analysed with descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Results From cohort of analysed children feeding problems occurred in 23 %. 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. Early neonatal intervention and reoperation were identified as a risk factors for latter feeding difficulties or inadequate intake. Children with feeding problems also tended to eat less than children without feeding problems. There was a trend towards more feeding problems in patients with chromosomal abnormalities or other associated anomalies. Conclusion Feeding disorder is often and frequent long-term sequel in children after neonatal or early infancy heart surgery. Patients with chromosomal and associated anomalies who underwent multiple cardiac surgeries are at risk of developing feeding difficulties.
Keywords: congenital heart defect, neonatal cardiac surgery, feeding problems, chromosomal abnormalities
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