Prevalence of Coronary Artery Disease Risk Factors and Metabolic Syndrome in Children with Heart Disease

Trends in Nutritional Status and Dietary Behavior in School-Aged Children with Congenital Heart Defects

Background: Malnutrition and poor weight gain has been reported in infants with congenital heart defects (CHDs); however data in older children with CHDs are limited. In order to obtain representative data on the nutritional status, dietary behavior, and potential influencing factors in school-aged children with CHDs, we performed a nationwide online survey. Methods: Patients aged 6 to 17 years registered in the German National Register for CHDs were asked to participate in this study by completing the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS) eating study questionnaire in order to assess their self-reported dietary habits. The use of the same questionnaire enabled a comparison with a representative subset of 4569 participants of the KiGGS study. Results: A total of 894 patients (mean age 12.5 ± 3.0 years; 47.2% female) were enrolled. Patients were allocated according to anatomic complexity into simple (23.8%), moderate (37.8%), and complex CHDs (38.4%). The consumption of sugar-containing food (p < 0.001) and fast food (p < 0.05) was significantly lower among the CHD patients than in the healthy children. Children with CHDs showed significantly lower body mass index (BMI) percentiles (p < 0.001) compared with their healthy peers, while children with complex and moderate CHDs had the lowest BMI. While in CHD patients, the BMI percentiles were not related to unhealthy food, there was a strong correlation with the CHD severity and number of previous interventions (p < 0.01). Conclusions: According to this nationwide survey, school-aged children with complex CHD are at risk of undernutrition, which is not due to dietary habits but to CHD severity and repeated surgery.

Prevalence of traditional and non-traditional cardiovascular risk factors in adults with congenital heart disease

Background

Adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) may be at increased risk of acquired cardiovascular disease (CVD). Understanding the prevalence of CV risk factors (CVRF) in this population is an important step in developing strategies to mitigate long-term risk.

Methods

The Oregon All Payer All Claims database for the years 2010-2017 was queried for adults with CHD International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes. The prevalence of CVRF was measured, and we then evaluated the association with patient characteristics.

Results

There were 13,896 individuals with CHD. 72.8% (99% CI: 71.8-73.7) had at least one RF and 52.3% (99% CI: 51.2-53.4) had ≥2 RF. The prevalence of ≥1 RF increased with age (18-24: 39.6% (99% CI: 37.0-42.1) vs. 93.6% (99% CI: 92.6-94.6) in those 55-65). Hypertension (aOR 1.49 (99% CI: 1.36-1.63)), diabetes (aOR 1.24 (99% CI: 1.13-1.36)), sleep apnea (aOR 1.40 (99% CI 1.26-1.55)) and kidney disease (aOR 1.33 (99% CI:1.14-1.54)) were more prevalent in moderate-complex as opposed to simple CHD. When compared with a matched non-CHD population, there was higher prevalence of CVRF in ACHD (≥1 RF: 76.1 vs. 64.1%, OR 1.79 (99% CI: 1.69-1.89); ≥2 RF: 52.6 vs. 36.5%, OR 1.92 (99% CI: 1.83-2.03).

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive attempt to measure both traditional and non-traditional CVRF in US adults with CHD. We show that CVRF are common even in young adults. Given the additive effect of acquired CVD on CHD, addressing RF should be an important priority for in ACHD.

Dietary patterns are associated with central adiposity and carotid intima-media thickness in children and adolescents with congenital heart disease

PURPOSE

Unhealthy dietary patterns (DP) in childhood are associated with cardiovascular disease in adulthood. DP in children and adolescents with congenital heart disease (CHD) are unknown. The aims of this study were to describe DPs of children and adolescents with CHD and to evaluate their associations with central adiposity, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT).

METHODS

A cross-sectional study including 232 children and adolescents with CHD. Dietary data were based on three 24-h dietary recalls. Central adiposity was evaluated by waist circumference. hs-CRPs were determined by nephelometry. The cIMT was measured using ultrasound. DPs were identified using principal component analysis. Data were examined using logistic and linear regressions.

RESULTS

Six DPs were identified. In multivariable-adjusted analysis, unhealthy DP (high intake of poultry, red meat, cold cuts and processed meats, soft drinks and sweetened beverages) and healthy DP (high intake of fish, eggs, bread, beans, tubers and roots, fruit and fruit juice) were associated with increased and decreased odds of central adiposity, respectively (Odds ratio (OR): 2.10; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.09; 4.02; OR: 0.48 95% CI 0.24; 0.93). Besides, low-fat dairy DP (high intake of low-fat milk and dairy, mixed dishes, ultra-processed breads, candy and chocolate) was inversely associated with cIMT (β: - 0.024; 95% CI - 0.04; - 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Unhealthy DP seems to increase the risk of central adiposity, while the healthy DP seems to decrease the risk of central adiposity. Still, low-fat dairy DP was inversely associated with cIMT. These findings may be helpful to develop nutrition recommendations for early cardiovascular disease prevention in children and adolescents with CHD.

Added sugar and trans fatty acid intake and sedentary behavior were associated with excess total-body and central adiposity in children and adolescents with congenital heart disease

BACKGROUND

Over the past three decades, the prevalence rate of overweight and obesity has increased in survivors with congenital heart disease, and little is known about the body composition and its association with clinical characteristics and lifestyle factors.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate excess total-body adiposity and central adiposity and, to describe associated factors.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study with children and adolescents who underwent procedure to treat congenital heart disease, from January to July 2017. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, and lifestyle factors (dietary intake, physical activity, and sedentary behavior) were assessed. Adiposity was assessed using air-displacement plethysmography and waist circumference. Factors associated with excess total-body adiposity and central adiposity were analyzed using logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Of 232 patients, 22.4% were identified with excess total-body adiposity and 24.6% with central adiposity. Significant factors positively associated with excess total-body adiposity were intake of added sugar and trans fatty acids, adjusted for confounding factors. Similarly, lifestyle factors were positively associated with central adiposity: intake of added sugar and trans fatty acids, sedentary behavior, and family history of obesity.

CONCLUSIONS

Lifestyle factors were associated with excess total-body adiposity and central adiposity. Assessment of body composition and healthy-lifestyle counseling into outpatient care may be the key point to prevent obesity in children and adolescents with congenital heart disease.