Question

IT EIGHT Deviations in Pediatric Health CONCEPTUAL CORNERSTONE Short Answer Question Children with congenital cardiac conditions are at risk for the development of failure to thrive and low weight gain during infancy. Taking into consideration the concept of growth and development for an infant with a cardiac condition, what are three conditions that could cause an infant with a congenital heart defect to demonstrate lower weight gain? 2 3.

Answer 1

Nutritional issues affect growth and development in children with congenital heart disease:

1. The heart must pump faster to meet the body's needs. The body's metabolism is also faster under these conditions. Your child needs extra calories to maintain weight and grow.
2. Your child may become tired quickly since the body is working harder under the stress of the heart defect. Your child may not have enough energy to eat properly. Infants may tire quickly during a feeding or even sleep through it. Older children may pick at their food, complain of being full after a few bites, or ask for rest breaks. Even though your child needs more calories just to maintain weight, he or she may be too tired to eat enough.
3. Your child may not be able to absorb nutrients properly (malabsorption) because the intestines aren't getting enough oxygen.