Enteral Nutrition in Term Infants with Congenital Heart Disease: Knowledge Gaps and Future Directions to Improve Clinical Practice

Nutritional considerations for people living with a Fontan circulation: a narrative review

The population of people living with a Fontan circulation are highly heterogenous, including both children and adults, who have complex health issues and comorbidities associated with their unique physiology throughout life. Research focused on nutritional considerations and interventions in the Fontan population is extremely limited beyond childhood. This review article discusses the current literature examining nutritional considerations in the setting of Fontan physiology and provides an overview of the available evidence to support nutritional management strategies and future research directions. Protein-losing enteropathy, growth deficits, bone mineral loss, and malabsorption are well-recognised nutritional concerns within this population, but increased adiposity, altered glucose metabolism, and skeletal muscle deficiency are also more recently identified issues. Emergencing evidence suggets that abnormal body composition is associated with poor circulatory function and health outcomes. Many nutrition-related issues, including the impact of congenital heart disease on nutritional status, factors contributing to altered body composition and comorbidities, as well as the role of the microbiome and metabolomics, remain poodly understood.

Pre-operative enteral feeding in single-ventricle CHD patients and necrotising enterocolitis risk

INTRODUCTION

Enteral feeding prior to cardiac surgery has benefits in pre-operative and post-operative patient statuses. In 2020, to increase pre-operative feeding for single-ventricle patients prior to stage 1 palliation, an enteral feeding algorithm was created. The aim of this study is to monitor the impact of our practice change with the primary outcome of necrotising enterocolitis incidence from birth to 2 weeks following surgical intervention.

METHODS

This is a single-site, retrospective cohort study including patients from 1 March, 2018 to 1 July, 2022. Variables assessed include demographics, age at cardiac surgery, primary cardiac diagnosis, necrotising enterocolitis pre-operative and 2 weeks post-operative cardiac surgery, feeding route, feeding type, volume of trophic enteral feeds, and near-infrared spectroscopy.

RESULTS

Following implementation of a pre-operative enteral feeding algorithm, the rate of neonates fed prior to surgery increased (39.5-75%, p = .001). The feedings included a mean volume of 28.24 ± 11.16 ml/kg/day, 83% fed breastmilk only, 44.4% tube fed, and 55.5% of infants had all oral feedings. Comparing enterally fed neonates and those not enterally fed, the necrotising enterocolitis incidence from birth to 2 weeks post-op was not significantly increased (p = 0.926).

CONCLUSION

As a result of implementing our feeding algorithm, the frequency of infants fed prior to stage I Norwood or Hybrid surgeries increased to 75%, and there was no significant change in the incidence of necrotising enterocolitis. This study confirmed that pre-operative enteral feeds are safe and are not associated with increased incidence of necrotising enterocolitis.

Translation, cross-cultural adaptation, content validation, and clinical feasibility of the nutritional pathway for infants with congenital heart disease before surgery

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to translate and validate the Nutritional Pathway for Infants with Congenital Heart Disease before Surgery British nutritional protocol into Brazilian Portuguese and test its clinical feasibility for specialized clinicians in Brazilian hospitals.

METHOD

The translation and validation process followed strict methodological standards over the following steps: 1) initial translation; 2) synthesis; 3) back-translation; 4) expert committee content validation, and pre-test clinical feasibility with 30 health professionals. Data were collected through the Research Electronic Data Capture software data system, and then extracted and analyzed through statistical analysis software.

RESULTS

The culturally adapted version was considered equivalent to the original. In the first round, 82% agreement was achieved, and after consensus, there was 100% agreement among the experts. Regarding the ease of use of the protocol in clinical practice, the instrument obtained a minimum agreement rate of 93.4% and a 0.92 content validity index.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that the instrument adapted to Brazilian Portuguese has high content validity, and high reliability among the experts, suggesting a high level of accuracy of the instrument and cultural adaptation for Brazilian culture and medical systems. It was easily understandable by health professionals, as well as simple to apply in clinical practice. The Nutritional protocol for preoperative infants with congenital heart disease can reproduce the outcomes found in the pilot of this instrument carried out in the United Kingdom, which may promote better pre-surgical nutritional status for infants with congenital heart disease in Brazil.

Nutrition for Infants with Congenital Heart Disease

Perioperative malnutrition in infants with congenital heart disease can lead to significant postnatal growth failure and poor short- and long-term outcomes. A standardized approach to nutrition is needed for the neonatal congenital heart disease population, taking into consideration the type of cardiac lesion, the preoperative and postoperative period, and prematurity. Early enteral feeding is beneficial and should be paired with parenteral nutrition to meet the fluid and nutrient needs of the infant.

Associations of Dietary Intake and Nutrient Status with Micronutrient and Lipid Composition in Breast Milk of Donor Women

The influence of the diet and nutritional status of milk donors on the nutritional composition of donor human milk (DHM) is unknown. The present study aimed to determine the nutritional profile of DHM and the associations between donors' dietary intake and nutritional status and the micronutrient and lipid composition in DHM. For this purpose, 113 donors completed a food frequency questionnaire, provided a five-day weighed dietary record, and collected milk for five consecutive days. Nutrient determinations in donors' erythrocytes, plasma, urine, and milk were performed. Multiple linear regressions were conducted for the evaluation of the associations. We highlight the following results: DHM docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was positively associated with donors' plasma DHA content and donors' DHA intake (R2 0.45, p < 0.001). For every 1 g/day DHA intake, an increase of 0.38% in DHA content and 0.78% in total omega-3 content was observed in DHM (R2 0.29, p < 0.001). DHM saturated fatty acids were positively associated with erythrocyte dimethyl acetals, plasma stearic acid, trans fatty acids intake, and breastfeeding duration and negatively associated with erythrocyte margaroleic acid (R2 0.34, p < 0.01). DHM cholecalciferol was associated with plasma cholecalciferol levels and dairy intake (R2 0.57, p < 0.01). Other weaker associations were found for free thiamin, free riboflavin, pyridoxal, dehydroascorbic acid, and the lipid profile in DHM. In conclusion, the diet and nutritional status of donors influence the fatty acid profile and micronutrient content of DHM.

Determinants of Length of Stay after Neonatal Cardiac Surgery Using Path Analysis

After neonatal cardiac surgery, families, and the health care team strive for exclusive oral feedings before hospital discharge. With the hypothesis that exclusive oral feedings would reduce the length of stay (LOS), a multidimensional path analysis was used to examine a cross-section of 280 neonates from 2009 to 2013. Buttigieg, Abela, and Pace's theoretical framework of structural and process-related determinants of LOS was modeled with hypothesis-driven correlation and directionality. The recursive path model had a good global and local fit with outcome variances of 26% for exclusive oral feeding and LOS. In the full cohort and model groups (single and biventricular), when controlling for covariances: sepsis, birth distance, necrotizing enterocolitis, genetic differences, specialty consults, the age at which neonatal cardiac surgery occurred (β = .23, p ≤ .001) and the duration of postoperative intubation (β = .47, p ≤ .001) more significantly influenced the LOS than intermediate mediation of exclusive oral feedings at discharge.

Evaluation of a new digital pediatric malnutrition risk screening tool for hospitalized children with congenital heart disease

BACKGROUND

In a cohort of hospitalized children with congenital heart disease (CHD), a new digital pediatric malnutrition screening tool as a mobile application was validated, and its effectiveness and clinical value were determined as a prospective study.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Children with CHD (n = 1125) were screened for malnutrition risk. The incidence of risk and the differences among various age groups and types of CHD were characterized. The optimal threshold for the tool to determine if there is a risk of malnutrition is score 2, while the Youden index was 79.1%, and the sensitivity and specificity were 91.2% and 87.9%, respectively. Based on such criterion, 351 children were at risk of malnutrition accounting for 31.20% of the total. Compared with the non-malnutritional risk group, the median age for the group at risk for malnutrition was younger (8.641 months [4.8, 23.1] vs. 31.589 months [12.4, 54.3], P < 0.01), and the length of stay was longer (12.000 [8.0, 17.0] vs. (8.420 [5.0, 12.0], P < 0.01]. There were significant differences in malnutrition risk among different age groups (χ² = 144.933, P < 0.01), and children under one year of age exhibited the highest risk for malnutrition and more extended hospital stay (H = 78.085, P < 0.01). The risk of malnutrition among children with cyanotic CHD was higher than in those with non-cyanotic CHD (χ² = 104.384, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The new digital pediatric malnutrition screening tool showed high sensitivity and specificity in children with CHD. The tool indicated that the malnutrition risk for young children and children with cyanotic or Bethesda moderate and complex CHD was higher, and the hospitalization time was longer than in the non-risk group. The tool provides a rational approach to targeted nutrition intervention and support and may improve clinical outcomes.

Effect of high-energy and/or high-protein feeding in children with congenital heart disease after cardiac surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

High-energy or high-protein feeding offers a promising approach to improving malnutrition in children after congenital heart surgery. However, the effect of high-energy or high-protein feeding in this population has not yet been systematically reviewed. Therefore, we aimed to assess the safety and effectiveness of high-energy or high-protein feeding in children after congenital heart surgery. Five electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, CINAHL, and Scopus) were searched from inception to April 23, 2022. After screening the literature according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, a risk of bias assessment was performed using version 2 of the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials, and the certainty of the evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations system. Finally, the random effects model was used to perform a meta-analysis of all data. A total of 609 subjects from 9 studies were included for qualitative analysis, and meta-analyses were performed on data from 8 of these studies. The results showed that high-energy and/or high-protein feeding did not increase feeding intolerance (RR = 1.09, 95% CI: 0.80, 1.48) or fluid intake (MD =  - 12.50 ml/kg/d, 95% CI: - 36.10, 11.10); however, the intervention was beneficial in increasing weight (MD = 0.5 kg, 95% CI: 0.23, 0.77) and reducing the duration of mechanical ventilation (MD =  - 17.45 h, 95% CI: - 27.30, - 7.60), intensive care unit (ICU) stay (MD =  - 1.45 days, 95% CI: - 2.36, - 0.54) and hospital stay (MD =  - 2.82 days, 95% CI: - 5.22, - 0.43). However, high-energy and/or protein feeding did not reduce the infection rate (RR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.25, 1.87) or mortality (RR = 1.50, 95% CI: 0.47, 4.82).

CONCLUSION

The certainty of the evidence was graded as moderate to high, which suggests that high-energy and/or high-protein feeding may be safe in children after congenital heart surgery. Furthermore, this intervention improves nutrition and reduces the duration of mechanical ventilation, length of ICU stay, and length of hospital stay. However, the overall conclusion of this meta-analysis will need to be confirmed in a cohort of patients with different cardiac physiologies.

WHAT IS KNOWN

• Malnutrition is highly prevalent in children with congenital heart disease (CHD) and can negatively affect the prognosis of these children. • High-energy and/or high-protein feeding can improve nutrition status and facilitate recovery; however, evidence on its safety and efficacy is lacking.

WHAT IS NEW

• Pooled data suggest that high-energy and/or high-protein feeding does not increase fluid intake or feeding intolerance in children with CHD. • High-energy and/or high-protein feeding may reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation, length of intensive care unit stay, and length of hospital stay.

Assessment and management of feeding difficulties for infants with complex CHD

Early surgical intervention in infants with complex CHD results in significant disruptions to their respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems, which are all instrumental to the development of safe and efficient oral feeding skills. Standardised assessments or treatment protocols are not currently available for this unique population, requiring the clinician to rely on knowledge based on neonatal literature. Clinicians need to be skilled at evaluating and analysing these systems to develop an appropriate treatment plan to improve oral feeding skill and safety, while considering post-operative recovery in the infant with complex CHD. Supporting the family to re-establish their parental role during the hospitalisation and upon discharge is critical to reducing parental stress and oral feeding success.

Enteral tube feeding selection at NICU discharge and resource utilization

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate resource utilization in infants discharged with different forms of feeding access.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective chart review of neonates discharged from 2012 to 2018. Data were collected from the medical record and relevant outcomes were compared.

RESULTS

300 patients were sampled. 196 (65%) were discharged on NG feeds, 95 (32%) via GT, and 9 gastrojejunal (GJ 3%). NG-fed infants discharged sooner (mean DOL: NG = 85.4 vs GT = 122.8, p < 0.001). More GT/GJ patients required emergency department (ED) visits for tube complications (GT = 61 vs GJ = 7 vs NG = 42, p < 0.001) and more frequently (mean visits: GT = 1.63 ± 2.33 vs GJ = 4.22 ± 4.44 vs NG = 0.48 ± 1.40, p < 0.001). However, 44 (24%) of the patients discharged on NG later had a GT placed.

CONCLUSIONS

Many patients discharged from the NICU can be supported with NG feeds. This may shorten hospital stays and decrease ED visits but select patients will later merit surgical tube placement.

Nutritional Management of Patients with Fontan Circulation: A Potential for Improved Outcomes from Birth to Adulthood

Fontan circulation (FC) is a surgically achieved palliation state offered to patients affected by a wide variety of congenital heart defects (CHDs) that are grouped under the name of univentricular heart. The procedure includes three different surgical stages. Malnutrition is a matter of concern in any phase of life for these children, often leading to longer hospital stays, higher mortality rates, and a higher risk of adverse neurodevelopmental and growth outcomes. Notwithstanding the relevance of proper nutrition for this subset of patients, specific guidelines on the matter are lacking. In this review, we aim to analyze the role of an adequate form of nutritional support in patients with FC throughout the different stages of their lives, in order to provide a practical approach to appropriate nutritional management. Firstly, the burden of faltering growth in patients with univentricular heart is analyzed, focusing on the pathogenesis of malnutrition, its detection and evaluation. Secondly, we summarize the nutritional issues of each life phase of a Fontan patient from birth to adulthood. Finally, we highlight the challenges of nutritional management in patients with failing Fontan.

Clinical Characteristics and Potential Pathogenesis of Cardiac Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Neonates with Congenital Heart Disease: A Narrative Review

Neonates with congenital heart disease (CHD) are at an increased risk of developing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), an acute inflammatory intestinal injury most commonly associated with preterm infants. The rarity of this complex disease, termed cardiac NEC, has resulted in a dearth of information on its pathophysiology. However, a higher incidence in term infants, effects on more distal regions of the intestine, and potentially a differential immune response may distinguish cardiac NEC as a distinct condition from the more common preterm, classical NEC. In this review, risk factors, differentiated from those of classical NEC, are discussed according to their potential contribution to the disease process, and a general pathogenesis is postulated for cardiac NEC. Additionally, biomarkers specific to cardiac NEC, clinical outcomes, and strategies for achieving enteral feeds are discussed. Working towards an understanding of the mechanisms underlying cardiac NEC may aid in future diagnosis of the condition and provide potential therapeutic targets.

Assessing the Association Between Pre-operative Feeding and the Development of Oral Feeding Skills in Infants with Single Ventricle Heart Disease: An Analysis of the NPC-QIC Dataset

Pre-operative feeding may improve long-term feeding outcomes in single ventricle patients, including weaning from supplemental tube feedings in infancy. This study examines the association between pre-operative enteral feeding and subsequent long-term feeding outcomes while also assessing the counterbalancing risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Secondary analysis of the National Pediatric Cardiology Quality Improvement Collaborative database was performed. The association between pre-operative feeding practice and achieving all oral feeds through the first year of life was examined using a multivariable regression model. Similarly, the association between pre-operative oral feeding and NEC was also assessed. Of 944 patients with 1-year feeding outcomes available, 58% were fed preoperatively (41.3% exclusively oral) and 12.3% were not fed per institutional approach. At hospital discharge after Stage 1 palliation, 57% required a feeding tube, while 39% required a feeding tube at their first birthday. In infants who were orally fed, the odds ratio to achieving tube-free feeding at 1 year was not significantly increased (1.3, confidence interval 0.8-2.0). Of 1740 infants with pre-operative feeding and Stage 1 there was no statistically significant difference in NEC among patients who were preoperatively fed versus those that were not fed per institutional approach (p = 0.2). Pre-operative feeding of infants with single ventricle heart disease was not associated with early achievement of tube-free feeding in the first year of life. However, pre-operative oral feeding was also not associated with increased risk of NEC, suggesting that it can be safely offered among appropriate patients.

Feeding Difficulties Following Vascular Ring Repair: A Contemporary Narrative Review

Vascular rings are congenital abnormalities of the aortic arch vascular system that compress the trachea and esophagus. A review of long-term outcomes suggests that chronic feeding difficulties can persist following surgical repair of vascular rings. Previous reports of postoperative vascular ring division outcomes indicate that chronic esophageal symptoms may persist following repair, though most available data focuses on persistent respiratory symptoms. It is therefore the aim of this article to summarize and organize recent evidence reporting the frequency, presentation, and management of feeding difficulties following vascular ring repair in pediatric patients. Pathophysiologic mechanisms for postoperative esophageal symptoms may include residual compression from an unresected diverticulum of Kommerell or delayed repair leading to chronic esophageal dysmotility despite correction of esophageal compression. Guidance on the management of feeding difficulties following vascular ring repair is limited. The authors describe success in one case with nasogastric tube feeding and interdisciplinary evaluation. Consensus regarding the management of feeding difficulty following vascular ring repair is needed. 

Optimal Nutrition Parameters for Neonates and Infants with Congenital Heart Disease

Congenital heart defects are known causes of malnutrition. Optimal nutritional management is paramount in improving short and long-term prognosis for neonates and infants with congenital heart malformations, as current strategies target preoperative and postoperative feeding requirements. Standardized enteral and/or parenteral feeding protocols, depending on the systemic implications of the cardiac defect, include the following common practices: diagnosing and managing feeding intolerance, choosing the right formula, and implementing a monitoring protocol. The latest guidelines from the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition and the European Society of Paediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care, as well as a significant number of recent scientific studies, offer precious indications for establishing the best feeding parameters for neonates and infants with heart defects.

Necrotizing Enterocolitis Associated with Congenital Heart Disease-A Review Article

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a relatively rare but devastating entity associated classically with the preterm cohort in the neonatal intensive care unit. Preterm and term babies with congenital heart disease are at risk of a number of comorbidities because of the hemodynamic derangements due to a structurally abnormal heart and the corrective procedures adopted. Necrotizing enterocolitis is one of the dreaded complications associated with this cohort and impacts the course of these babies in the hospital in a major way. A large majority of term babies with NEC are in the backdrop of a significant congenital cardiac lesion. This review article summarizes the literature and elaborates this entity including its specific features, risk factors associated with its causality, histopathology and related aspects of hemodynamics, and feeding in this vulnerable population. It also provides insight into modifiable risk factors and early markers of detection of gut necrosis to facilitate prevention and early detection. It highlights the subtle but definite difference in outcome variables to help physicians enable the parents of babies with heart disease to develop a better understanding of the entity and its expected course while counseling.

Growth and Nutritional Intake of Infants with Univentricular Circulation

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the nutritional status and early nutritional intake of infants with univentricular congenital heart disease.

STUDY DESIGN

The included infants underwent a Norwood procedure or hybrid intervention (stage 1) within the first 6 weeks of life, between January 2014 and January 2019, at Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin. Demographic, anthropometric, nutritional intake, and morbidity data were collected.

RESULTS

Data were collected on 90 infants and 1886 neonatal admission days. There was a significant drop in mean weight-for-age z-score (WAZ) between measurements at birth, -0.01 and on discharge post stage 1 surgery -1.45 (P < .01). On hospital discharge (median hospital stay, 25 days) 32% of infants had a WAZ <-2 and 11% had a WAZ <-3. Pre-stage 1, 26% received trophic feeds and 39% received parenteral nutrition. Basal metabolic requirements and target caloric intake (120 kcal/kg) were met on 56% and 13% of admission days, respectively. Infants referred to a dietitian had a shorter time to any form of nutrition support, enteral feeds, and target caloric intake (P < .001, P = .016, and P = .048, respectively). At stage 3 (Fontan) surgery, 15% of infants were classified as stunted (length-for-age z-score [LAZ] <-2).

CONCLUSIONS

The greatest decline in nutritional status occurs in the neonatal period, followed by significant growth stunting by the time of the Fontan procedure. Early involvement of dietitians is critical in the care of this nutritionally fragile group. With the currently low rate of preoperative nutritional support, there may be opportunities to improve intake at this critical stage.