Anderson et al identified factors associated with poor weight gain for an infant with a single ventricle. Poor nutrition can adversely affect outcomes associated with corrective heart surgery. The authors are from Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.
Patient selection: infant with single ventricle
Outcome: poor weight gain at the time of corrective surgery (typically Bidirectional-Glenn, BDG), which was performed between 2.4 and 10 months of age
Predictors at time of initial hospital discharge:
(1) race non-Caucasian
(2) lower weight-for-age Z-score (WAZ)
Predictors of lower average daily weight gain between neonatal discharge and surgery:
(1) higher mean pulmonary arterial pressure (pulmonary hypertension) with increased pulmonary blood flow
(2) higher systemic oxygen saturation
(3) being formula fed at neonatal discharge
Caucasian infants were more likely to be breast fed.
Additional factors:
(1) gastroesophageal reflux
(2) gastrointestinal disorders, including necrotizing enterocolitis
Weight gain for an infant with a single ventricle should be carefully monitored with nutritional interventions if targets are not met.