Abstract:
Background: Undernutrition is the condition that arises when individuals do not consume enough
energy and nutrients to fulfill their needs, resulting in problems such as stunted growth, wasting, and
being underweight. Children with congenital heart diseases are especially at risk for undernutrition, often
experiencing delays in weight gain and growth that can range from mild to severe. However, research on
this topic is scarce, particularly in developing countries like Ethiopia.
Objective: To assess the magnitude of undernutrition and its associated factors among children with
congenital heart disease attending pediatric outpatient and chronic follow-up in Ambo town public
hospitals, West Shoa, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2024.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at public hospitals in Ambo town from February 8,
2024, to July 8, 2024, focusing on children with congenital heart disease. The study involved 415 children
under the age of 15 years and utilized a consecutive sampling technique. Data were collected using
structured questionnaires and chart reviews, which included anthropometric measurements and medical
histories from patient records. The data was coded and entered to Epi-data version 4.6, WHO Antro
version 3.2.2 and WHO Antro plus version 1.0.4 and then exported to Statistical Package for Social
Sciences (SPSS) version 26 for analysis. Descriptive statistics were used, and variables with a p-value
less than 0.25 in bivariable logistic regression were included in the multivariable logistic regression
analysis. Adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals and a p-value <0.05 were employed to
identify statistically significant associations.
Result: Out of 415 samples, 397 children participated, yielding a response rate of 95.7%. The magnitude
of undernutrition among children with congenital heart disease was 162 (40.81%), 95% CI (35.25-
46.60), and of those 40.3%, 36.52%, and 33.5% were underweight, wasting, and stunting, respectively.
Children whose parents received nutrition related information [AOR=2.6, 95% CI: (1.28, 5.28), being
female [AOR=3.49, 95% CI: (1.99, 6.11)], children who had comorbidities [AOR=1.89, 95% CI: (1.08,
3.31)], and children residing in rural areas [AOR=3.57, 95% CI: (1.85, 6.89)] were significantly
associated with undernutrition among children with congenital heart disease.
Conclusion: The magnitude of undernutrition among children with congenital heart disease is high as
compared to the WHO report. The government and other concerned bodies should ensure early treatment
accessibility, work directly on the identified factors, and adopt a multidisciplinary approach to prevent
undernutrition and its consequences.
