Assessment of food intake in infants between 0 and 24 months with congenital heart disease.

BACKGROUND Children with congenital heart disease are usually malnourished and present some degree of functional and/or structural impairment of organs. There is also deficiency in nutrient intake, due to the control of fluids required by some patients which restrains the nutrient intake of some cardiac children. OBJECTIVE To assess the food intake of children with congenital heart disease hospitalized in the pediatric heart unit of a "Public Teaching Hospital". METHODS The intake of food and nutrients was calculated based on the food consumed during three days (direct weighting method) and the calories and nutrients were calculated using the Virtual Nutri software. RESULTS The intake of calories per kilogram of body weight, of daily proteins, sodium and vitamin A was within the recommended levels (p < 0.05). However, the intake of daily calories, fats, fiber, potassium and iron was below the recommended levels (p < 0.05) and the intake of proteins per kilogram, carbohydrates, calcium and vitamin C was above the recommended levels (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Children with congenital cardiopathy have inadequate diets, and therefore, need nutritional guidance to foster adequate dietary intake and the resulting improvement in growth and weight and height development, guaranteeing better quality of life to the patients.