Long-term nutritional morbidity for congenital diaphragmatic hernia survivors: Failure to thrive extends well into childhood and adolescence

BackgroundFailure to thrive (FTT) is well documented among congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) survivors ≤ 3 years of age, but its etiology, severity, and persistence beyond this age require further elucidation.MethodsWe conducted a single-center, retrospective study assessing anthropometrics, measured energy expenditure, and feeding tube (FT) use of 5–17 year olds in our multidisciplinary CDH clinic since January 2001. We stratified clinic visits based on age A: 5.0–6.9, B: 7.0–9.9, C: 10.0–14.9, and D: 15–17.9 years.ResultsOne hundred sixteen patients with 376 outpatient visits were reviewed. Anthropometric z-scores were below zero and did not vary across age cohorts. FTT and growth stunting each occurred in 14% of clinic visits. FTs inserted during infancy occurred in 25% of patients, and 60% remained by age 7 years. In cohort A, those with FTs were lighter and shorter than those without (p < 0.05) but had similar BMIs. FTT incidence was higher in the FT group (p = 0.020), but FTs were present in only 30% of those with FTT. Indirect calorimetry revealed increased energy expenditure in 58% of patients.ConclusionsFailure to thrive continues in long-term CDH survivors, FTs may not improve incidence of FTT. Increased energy expenditure may play a role.