Factors associated with growth restriction in children under 5 years of age with congenital heart disease

Introduction: Growth retardation is the result of many factors, some direct, such as poor nutrition, but many indirect, the mother's lack of education, breastfeeding, place of residence, among others. Objectives: Identify the factors that predict growth retardation in children under five years of age with congenital heart disease.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study in which access was obtained through the collection and review of data from the medical records of patients treated for congenital heart disease, the sample was 138 children. Binary logistic regression was applied, the model will yield ORs (Odss Ratio or risk) and those with a significant p value <0.05 will be the predictors of growth retardation. The predictor variables were age, sex, breastfeeding, place of residence, socioeconomic level and weight for age. Linear regression was applied to explain the prediction and relationship between height and weight.Results: The average age of children with congenital heart disease was 18 months (SD=15.21). The sex variable preSented an OR=2.95;p=0.05, age an OR=0.56;p=0.017, breastfeeding an OR= 0.19;p=0.017 and place of residence OR= 3.88; p=0.025. On the other hand, as the child's weight decreases, the probability of having growth retardation increases 8.21 times (p=0.000). It was also evidenced that for each additional kilogram in weight, height can be expected to increase an average of 3.79 cm (p=0.000; R2=0.67). Finally, there is an association between children's growth retardation with the variable rural residence, breastfeeding, weight/age and sex (p<0.05).Conclusion: The variables sex, age, breastfeeding, residence and weight for age are associated with growth retardation. There is a relationship between height and weight for age.