Muscle strength in children and adolescents hospitalized with congenital heart disease

Introduction: Muscle strength when reduced has been associated with impairment of Activities of Daily Living (ADL), work, recreation, and has a positive relationship with malnutrition and mortality. Changes in muscle function can be considered a good indicator for early detection of malnutrition. Objective: To evaluate Hand Grip Strength (HGS) in children and adolescents hospitalized with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD). Methods: A Cross-sectional study was conducted, at a reference university hospital in cardiology in state of Pernambuco. HGS was measured in 32 children and adolescents with CHD, aged 6 to 15 years, using dynamometry. Anthropometric parameters were checked, such as weight, height, Arm Circumference (AC), Tricipital Skinfold (TSF), with calculation of the Body Mass Index (BMI) and Arm Muscle Circumference (AMC). The Height/Age and BMI/Age indexes were used for children aged 6 to 15 years and added to these, the Weight/Age index for children aged 6 to 10 years. Results: It was found that 6.3% had malnutrition according to Weight/Age index and 18.8%, according to BMI/Age index. Short stature was seen in 15.6% of the participants and low muscle reserve in 43.8%. Low muscle strength was seen in 96.9% of patients. Among those who had reduced HGS, 43,8% also had low muscle reserve according to the AMC. Conclusions: Children and adolescents with CHD have low muscle strength, reflecting impaired functionality. Reduced PPF was accompanied by low muscle reserve in almost half of the patients, indicating that this public may constitute a risk group for sarcopenia.