Growth in children with congenital heart disease

A longitudinal study was made of height and weight growth in children with cyanotic and acyanotic congenital heart disease. Values were compared to a group of children without heart disease, which included siblings of the children with heart disease. Retardation in height and weight was noted in all children with cardiac disease but was more pronounced in those with cyanosis. This retardation appeared to be associated with the presence of rather than the degree of cyanosis. Weight retardation was more frequent and more marked than retardation in height. Delayed and retarded development was of greater severity in boys than in girls. A relationship between the degree of physical incapacity and extent of growth retardation was demonstrated.