J Korean Acad Child Health Nurs.  2012 Jul;18(3):119-126.

Nutrition Supply, Biochemical Nutrition Indexes and Patient Outcomes in New Born Babies with Open Heart Surgery according to Post Operative Fasting Period

• Jang JY
• Kim MH

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to examine and analyze the post operative fasting period of neonates in the intensive care unit (ICU) after receiving open heart surgery in order to provide optimal nutrition support for these neonates. The variables included biochemical nutrition indexes (albumin, total lymphocyte count, total cholesterol) and patient outcomes (duration of mechanical ventilation, ICU stay, hospital stay, infectious complication).
METHODS
The participants were 124 neonates in ICU after receiving open heart surgery, and the design of this study was to investigate their post operative fasting period retrospectively to analyze the biochemical nutrition indexes and patient outcomes according to post operative fasting period.
RESULTS
The results for 4 groups according to post operative fasting period showed that the group with less 48 hours of fasting had the best biochemical nutrition indexes and patient outcomes, followed by the 48-72 hour group, the 72-144 hour group, and the over 144 hour group.
CONCLUSION
The results indicate that for new born babies receiving open heart surgery, the period of fasting after the operation should be minimized and tube feeding should be started as soon as possible.

Keyword

Newborn; Nutrition; Outcome

MeSH Terms

Enteral Nutrition
Fasting
Heart
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Intensive Care Units
Length of Stay
Lymphocyte Count
Nutrition Assessment
Respiration, Artificial
Retrospective Studies
Thoracic Surgery
Child Health