Estimating nutritional needs in paediatric heart failure: beyond the equations

Abstract

AbstractBackground:Nutrition optimisation is imperative in paediatric patients with heart failure. Energy needs can be assessed using indirect calorimetry.Methods:Presented are two cases of children with clinical heart failure who benefited from indirect calorimetry.Results:Using indirect calorimetry, it was determined both cases were hypermetabolic.Conclusion:These cases demonstrate the impact of heart failure on metabolic rate and growth. Energy requirements were up to two times higher than estimations from predictive equations.