Fluid Restriction Contributes to Poor Nutritional Adequacy in Patients With Congenital Heart Disease Receiving Renal Replacement Therapy

Nutrition Provision in Children with Heart Disease on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)

Nutrition provision for children with heart disease supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) involves nuanced decision making. We examined nutrition provision while on ECMO in the CICU and the relationship between energy and protein adequacy and end organ function as assessed by pediatric sequential organ failure assessment (pSOFA) scores in children with heart disease supported with ECMO. Children (≤ 21 years-old) with congenital or acquired heart disease who received ECMO in the cardiac intensive care unit were included. There were 259 ECMO runs in 252 patients over an 8-year study period (2013-2020). Median energy delivery and adequacy were 26.1 [8.4, 45.9] kcal/kg/day and 58.3 [19.8, 94.6]%, respectively. Median protein delivery and adequacy were 0.98 [0.36, 1.64] g/kg/day and 35.7 [13.4, 60.3]%, respectively. pSOFA increased by a median of four points during the ECMO run. Change in pSOFA score was not associated with energy or protein adequacy (p = 0.46 and p = 0.72, respectively). Higher energy and protein adequacy-from parenteral nutrition-correlated with increased hospital-acquired infections (HAIs, p = 0.031 and p = 0.003, respectively). Achieving nutritional adequacy was dependent on the use of parenteral nutrition. Similar clinical outcomes with regard to end organ function but with an increased incidence of HAIs suggests the need to explore the role of optimal enteral nutrition delivery on ECMO.

Nutrition for critically ill children with congenital heart disease

Children with congenital heart disease often require admission to the cardiac intensive care unit at some point in their lives, either after elective surgical or catheter-based procedures or during times of acute critical illness. Meeting both the macronutrient and micronutrient needs of children in the cardiac intensive care unit requires complex decision-making when considering gastrointestinal perfusion, vasoactive support, and fluid balance goals. Although nutrition guidelines exist for critically ill children, these cannot always be extrapolated to children with congenital heart disease. Children with congenital heart disease may also suffer unique circumstances, such as chylothoraces, heart failure, and the need for mechanical circulatory support, which greatly impact nutrition delivery. Guidelines for neonates and children with heart disease continue to be developed. We provide a synthesized narrative review of current literature and considerations for nutrition evaluation and management of critically ill children with congenital heart disease.