Addressing the burden and associated factors of undernutrition in under-five children with congenital heart disease in Pakistan: evidence from a multicenter cross-sectional study
5 affiliations
- 1Fujian Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases , , ,
- 2Department of Clinical Nutrition, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Faisal University , ,
- 3Department of Public Health and Nutrition, The University of Haripur , ,
- 4Department of Health Information Management and Technology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Faisal University , ,
- 5Pediatrics Department, College of Medicine, King Faisal University , ,
Abstract
Background: Children with congenital heart disease (CHD) are at heightened risk of undernutrition due to elevated metabolic demands, feeding intolerance, and growth failure. This study aimed to identify the associated factors of undernutrition among children under 5 years with CHD in Pakistan.
Methods: A hospital-based study was carried out among 197 confirmed CHD across three tertiary hospitals in Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). WHO-recommended standards and structured questionnaires were used. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of undernutrition.
Results: Overall, 58.9% were male, 40.1% were stunted, 44.2% were underweight, and 35.5% were wasted. Ventricular septal defect was the most common CHD (34.5%), followed by patent ductus arteriosus (23.4%). Infants aged 6–11 months had the most severe deficits. Male children had significantly higher odds of wasting than female children (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.10, 95% CI: 1.10–3.98), whereas children from households with a monthly income of ≥ PKR 40,000 had lower odds of wasting (aOR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.24–0.84) and underweight (aOR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.29–0.94). Similarly, children whose fathers were government employees (aOR = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.09–0.98) also had lower odds of being underweight. No sociodemographic or clinical variables were significantly associated with stunting (all p > 0.05).
Conclusion: Undernutrition exhibits a high distribution and severity among young CHD children. Multiple associated factors of undernutrition based on wasting and underweight were identified. Timely referrals for nutritional support are of great significance in preventing nutritional deterioration.
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BibTeX
@article{khan2026addressing,
title = {{Addressing the burden and associated factors of undernutrition in under-five children with congenital heart disease in Pakistan: evidence from a multicenter cross-sectional study}},
author = {Muhammad Imran Khan and Ijaz ul Haq and Muhammad Awais and Shahbaz Ahmad Zakki and Sohail Akhtar and Muhammad Ayaz Ghulam Nabi and Elmuez Alsir Ahmed Aboagarib and Manjur Kolhar and Xianghui Huang and Xiaojing Hu},
journal = {Frontiers in nutrition},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fnut.2026.1953133},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13719390},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Addressing the burden and associated factors of undernutrition in under-five children with congenital heart disease in Pakistan: evidence from a multicenter cross-sectional study
AU - Muhammad Imran Khan
AU - Ijaz ul Haq
AU - Muhammad Awais
AU - Shahbaz Ahmad Zakki
AU - Sohail Akhtar
AU - Muhammad Ayaz Ghulam Nabi
AU - Elmuez Alsir Ahmed Aboagarib
AU - Manjur Kolhar
AU - Xianghui Huang
AU - Xiaojing Hu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/16
JO - Frontiers in nutrition
DO - 10.3389/fnut.2026.1953133
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13719390
AB - Background: Children with congenital heart disease (CHD) are at heightened risk of undernutrition due to elevated metabolic demands, feeding intolerance, and growth failure. This study aimed to identify the associated factors of undernutrition among children under 5 years with CHD in Pakistan. Methods: A hospital-based study was carried out among 197 confirmed CHD across three tertiary hospitals in Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). WHO-recommended standards and structured questionnaires were used. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of undernutrition. Results: Overall, 58.9% were male, 40.1% were stunted, 44.2% were underweight, and 35.5% were wasted. Ventricular septal defect was the most common CHD (34.5%), followed by patent ductus arteriosus (23.4%). Infants aged 6–11 months had the most severe deficits. Male children had significantly higher odds of wasting than female children (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.10, 95% CI: 1.10–3.98), whereas children from households with a monthly income of ≥ PKR 40,000 had lower odds of wasting (aOR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.24–0.84) and underweight (aOR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.29–0.94). Similarly, children whose fathers were government employees (aOR = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.09–0.98) also had lower odds of being underweight. No sociodemographic or clinical variables were significantly associated with stunting (all p > 0.05). Conclusion: Undernutrition exhibits a high distribution and severity among young CHD children. Multiple associated factors of undernutrition based on wasting and underweight were identified. Timely referrals for nutritional support are of great significance in preventing nutritional deterioration.
SN - 2296-861X
ER -