Diet and growth in congenital heart disease.

To assess the relationship between diet and growth in congenital heart disease we studied nutrient intake, body measurements, and cardiac status in 568 affected ambulatory patients less than 11 years of age. Most had mild heart disease, 104 were cyanotic, and only 10 were in congestive heart failure. Major disturbances of growth were uncommon. For the entire group body weight was below normal but only in those studied before 2 years of age; rate of growth and weight gain were normal over the period preceding the dietary study. There was no statistically significant relationship between intake of calories, protein, or other nutrients and growth or gain, analyzing the entire group, or analyzing patients subgrouped according to age, severity of heart disease, or severity of growth retardation. Body size and growth were diminished in cyanosed compared with noncyanosed children but cardiac status had no effect on nutrient intake. We conclude that in children with growth failure associated with congenital heart disease, nutrient intake is not an important factor limiting their growth.