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New findings from V.M. Dasilva and co-authors in the area of congenital heart disease published
November 20th, 2007
2007 NOV 20 -- According to recent research from Fortaleza, Brazil, "Factors predictive of growth deficit and nutritional status in children with congenital heart disease remain unclear. The objective of this study was to characterize the growth and nutritional status of children with congenital heart disease based on anthropometric measurements and z scores One hundred and thirty-five children 1 year or younger, who had not undergone surgical correction, were evaluated." "The variables studied were sex; age; type of heart disease; length, weight, z scores (length-for-age, weight-for-age, weight-for-length); abdominal, thoracic, and cephalic circumferences, triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness; and birth weight and birth length The mean age of children in this study was 4.75 +/- 3.75 months and most (66.7%) were male, Mean anthropometric measurements were birth length, 48.6 +/- 2.34 cm; birth weight, 3.11 +/- 0.63 kg; cephalic circumference, 38.51 +/- 3.28 cm; thoracic circumference, 38.65 +/- 3.76 cm; abdominal circumference, 37.96 +/- 3.27 cm, triceps skinfold thickness, 3.69 +/- 1.57 mm; subscapular skinfold thickness, 3.22 +/- 1.34 mm; current length, 57.54 +/- 7.87 cm; and current weight, 4.46 +/- 1.49 kg. Variables significant for malnutrition in logistic regression models were sex, type of heart disease, birth weight, birth length, subscapular thickness, triceps thickness, and cephalic circumference. Nutritional defects were more evident in the case of the weight-for-age index," wrote V.M. Dasilva and colleagues. The researchers concluded: "Boys had greater deterioration in the weight-for-age index, possibly indicating acute malnutrition, and girls had worse values for the height-for-age index, indicating a risk of chronic malnutrition." Dasilva and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing (Growth and nutritional status of children with congenital heart disease. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 2007;22(5):390-396). For additional information, contact M.V.D.O. Lopes, Almirante Rubim 804, BR-60425480 Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil. Publisher contact information for the Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing is: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 530 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19106-3621, USA. Keywords: Brazil, Fortaleza, Cardiology, Congenital Heart Disease. This article was prepared by Cardiovascular Business Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Cardiovascular Business Week via NewsRx.com.
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