Current Pediatric Research

Background: The rising burden of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) risk factors of obesity and Elevated Blood Pressure (EBP) from early childhood can aggravate consequences Congenital Heart Defects (CHDs). The aim was to identify associations of early feeding, EBP with CHD and obesity.

Method: A sample of 150 children randomized into 50 breastfed, 50 non-breastfed and 50 mixed fed children aged 3-5 years examined for early feeding practices, EBP and nutritional assessment through anthropometric measurements for estimating Body Mass Index (BMI) and hemoglobin. Doppler studies were carried out to detect CHD.

Findings: Diastolic EBP, but not systolic EBP, was detected in non-breastfed vs. fully breastfed. Obesity was positively associated with systolic and diastolic EBP in either sex. Early breastfeeding was protective, while not breastfeeding, bottle feeding with additives, pacifiers, Unhealthy Food Intake (UFI) were associated with EBP. Doppler studies detected 16 cases (10.67%) with CHDs, mostly Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) in 7(43.7%) followed by Tricuspid Regurge (TR) in 3(18.75%), Atrial-Septal Defect (ASD) in 1(6.25%) and Ventricular-Septal Defects (VSD) in 1(6.25%). EBP and obesity tended to be common with UFI and non-breastfed but they were not significant (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Obesity and EBP start from early childhood; this could affect future cardiac dynamics. Breastfeeding may be physiologically and developmentally beneficial for these children by protection against CVD risk factors as obesity and EBP. Close watch of patients with CHD from an early age is recommended to detect hemodynamic changes affecting the cardiac function especially among children who are obese and hypertensive. Promoting breastfeeding and healthy food intake is important to prevent CVD.

Author(s):

Azza M Abul-Fadl, Sameh ElSayed Zaki AbdulSamea, Maha Mostafa Mourad

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