Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is not only a problem viewed
in adults, but also exacts a terrible toll on the young people.
The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute states that "Heart
disease in infants, children, and adolescents is a large and
under-appreciated public health problem".
Because children have a long life ahead, the burden and
cost of children's heart disease are substantial for families
More than 1 million adults are alive today who have had a
heart defect repaired during childhood.
Congenital heart defects (CHD) are the most common type
of birth defect. They affect 8 out of every 1,000 newborns. An
estimate of 35,000 babies or more are born per year with
congenital heart defects in the United States. There are many
types of congenital heart defects. They range from simple
defects with no symptoms to complex defects with severe,
Patients with CHD present unique nutritional challenges, as they generally have higher energy and nutrition needs. Yet, many
factors negatively impact their abilities to consume, absorb or utilize nutrients. As such, many infants require supplemental enteral
nutrition (tube feeding) or parenteral nutrition to promote achievement of "catch-up" weight gain and linear growth.
On the other hand, the relationship between childhood obesity and subsequent cardiovascular risk has been well-described.
Pediatric cardiologists have found that children born with CHD are now becoming overweight and obese at rates similar to those
of the general pediatric population. This raises the specter of adding all of the risk implicit in obesity to a group of children already
at increased risk of adverse cardiovascular outcome.
Finally, Obesity now affects 17% of all children and adolescents in the United States, three times the rate from just one generation
ago. About 10% of adolescents 12-19 years of age have a high overall cholesterol level, a risk factor for CVD.
Strong evidence shows that youth with a family history of CVD and diabetes already show signs of the diseases.
Make an appointment
LENOX - JOHNS CREEK - LAWRENCEVILLE
Copyright © 2012 -All Rights Reserved - NutritionECW, LLC.
Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist serving Atlanta, Johns Creek, Suwanee, Duluth, Lawrenceville - Georgia