Malnutrition of children with CHD is multifactorial and
appears when the need for, and losses of, energy and
nutrients are greater than the intake (14) (Tab. I). The nutrient
impairment of children with CHD correlates with the type
of heart defect and severity of hemodynamic disturbances.
Patients with pulmonary hypertension (large left-to-right
shunting) and CHF have a high risk of malnutrition (15-17).
These infants tend to weigh less than cyanotic children
(18, 19).