Original Article
Sociodemographic determinants and anthropometric characteristics of the iron status of Lagos children with cyanotic congenital heart disease
Abstract
Background: Cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD) contributes to morbidity and mortality among children all over the world. Stunting and poor weight gain are common among these children.
Methods: The study was part of a large prospective cross sectional and analytical study, involving consecutive children with CCHD confirmed by echocardiography. Subjects and controls were matched for gender, sex and socioeconomic class. Level of significance was set at P<0.05.
Results: A total of 150 children, 75 with CCHD and 75 apparently healthy controls were studied over a period of 6 months (May 2015 to October 2015). Overall, the age of the subjects ranged from 6 months to 12 years with a mean age and standard deviation of 47.5 (±2.9) months. The mean weight of the subject who were less than 2 years was significantly lower than those of controls (P=0.000). Similarly, the weight of the subjects older than 5 years were also significantly lower than those of controls (P=0.041). Similarly, the height of subjects less than 5 years was significantly lower than those of the controls (P=0.000) using the independent t-test.
Conclusions: Wasting and stunting are common in children with CCHD hence we recommend a routine monitoring of the nutritional status of children with CCHD using the weight and height measurements to ensure prompt nutritional rehabilitation among these children.
Methods: The study was part of a large prospective cross sectional and analytical study, involving consecutive children with CCHD confirmed by echocardiography. Subjects and controls were matched for gender, sex and socioeconomic class. Level of significance was set at P<0.05.
Results: A total of 150 children, 75 with CCHD and 75 apparently healthy controls were studied over a period of 6 months (May 2015 to October 2015). Overall, the age of the subjects ranged from 6 months to 12 years with a mean age and standard deviation of 47.5 (±2.9) months. The mean weight of the subject who were less than 2 years was significantly lower than those of controls (P=0.000). Similarly, the weight of the subjects older than 5 years were also significantly lower than those of controls (P=0.041). Similarly, the height of subjects less than 5 years was significantly lower than those of the controls (P=0.000) using the independent t-test.
Conclusions: Wasting and stunting are common in children with CCHD hence we recommend a routine monitoring of the nutritional status of children with CCHD using the weight and height measurements to ensure prompt nutritional rehabilitation among these children.
