Development of feeding information for infants with CHD

Abstract

Introduction:Infants with CHD often experience growth failure. Ensuring optimal growth before surgery is associated with improved outcomes and has emerged as a significant cause of parental stress. Parents have reported a perceived lack of accessible feeding information for infants with CHD. To address this gap, the aim of this study was to develop feeding information to better support parents.Materials and methods:A search for existing material on six electronic databases and an internet search for unpublished (grey) literature on feeding information for infants with CHD were carried out. Following the development of feeding information, semi-structured interview(s) with parents/health-care professionals were completed, focusing on whether the information was easy to understand, relevant, provided sufficient information around feeding/feeding difficulties, and whether there were any information gaps. Iterative changes were made to the information following each interview. The process was completed until thematic saturation was achieved.Results:A total of 23 unique articles were identified of which 5 studies were included. From the grey literature, four web pages were reviewed. A total of 22 parents and 25 health-care professionals were interviewed. All parents/health-care professionals felt that the feeding information developed provided sufficient information; however, many wanted information on how to introduce complementary food, particularly if weaning was delayed.Conclusions:This study describes the development of feeding information for infants with CHD. From parent interviews, gaps identified focused on the introduction of complementary foods and uncertainty regarding the feeding journey beyond surgery.

Cardiopatias Congênitas: Alimentação Com Leite Humano Em Um Hospital Cardiológico

“…18 Descreveu-se, ainda sobre a importância da Educação em Saúde relacionada ao incentivo da amamentação, por estudo britânico, o desenvolvimento de um material educativo relacionado à alimentação para bebês com CC, sendo o material desenvolvido considerado útil e incluindo informações sobre a jornada de alimentação, outras histórias sobre alimentação infantil e conselhos sobre como aproveitar, ao máximo, o momento da amamentação. 19 Ressaltam-se resultados de sucesso referentes à amamentação de cardiopatas congênitos por grupo do Boston Children's Hospital, que demonstrou que as crianças com CC, após correção da cardiopatia e mantendo a amamentação, demonstraram significativo aumento de peso.…”

A scoping review: urinary markers of metabolic maturation in infants with CHD and the relationship to growth

“…13,14 In addition, poor growth and feeding difficulties amongst infants with CHD cause parents significant distress and worry. 15,16 Even in children treated with a structured nutrition pathway, designed to provide intensive nutrition from birth to the time of surgical intervention, 20% remain underweight and 14% remain stunted at the time of surgery. 8 Giallouri et al have previously shown that malnourished children in resource-constrained environments show time-dependent changes in metabolites derived from nutrient-gut microbial-host metabolic interactions, and muscle-associated molecules (energy-and choline-related metabolites).…”

“…13,14 In addition, poor growth and feeding difficulties amongst infants with CHD cause parents significant distress and worry. 15,16…”