Somatic growth in children with single ventricle physiology impact of physiologic state.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to define somatic growth patterns for patients with single ventricle (SV) physiology and associated factors.


BACKGROUND
Infants with SV physiology might have somatic growth retardation associated with volume overload and hypoxemia, which might improve after surgical palliation.


METHODS
We reviewed 126 patients (35% male) who underwent the Fontan procedure from 1994 to 2004. Demographic data, hemodynamic variables, and surgical procedures were recorded. Serial weights and heights were converted to z-scores. Linear regression analysis adjusted for repeated measures was used to model growth trends.


RESULTS
Median z-score for weight was -0.7 at birth, -1.6 before bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt (BCPS), -0.7 before Fontan procedure, and -0.7 after Fontan procedure. A significant decline in z-scores for weight was seen before BCPS, which was reversed after the hemi-Fontan and stabilized after Fontan procedure. The z-scores for weight before the BCPS were lower in patients with lower birth weight (p < 0.01), nutritional difficulties (p = 0.01), and higher right atrial pressures (p = 0.02). After the BCPS, impaired growth was seen in patients who had systemic venous collaterals (p < 0.01). Patients who had collaterals embolized had the same growth trends as patients with no collaterals (p = 0.29).


CONCLUSIONS
Infants with SV physiology show impaired somatic growth before BCPS. Although catch-up growth occurs after BCPS, effective interventions such as more intensive nutritional strategies before BCPS might be targeted at this high-risk population. The presence of systemic venous collaterals might impede growth secondary to hemodynamic impairment. Embolization of collaterals might allow for maximum growth potential.
Vogt
Kelly N
KN
Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, The Labatt Family Heart Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Manlhiot
Cedric
C
Van Arsdell
Glen
G
Russell
Jennifer L
JL
Mital
Seema
S
McCrindle
Brian W
BW
D001724:Birth Weight / Q000502:physiology; D001827:Body Height / Q000502:physiology*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004392:Dwarfism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D011379:Prognosis; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D010100:Oxygen