Metabolic rate of neonates with congenital heart disease

Abstract

Seven infants under one month of age with controlled congestive heart failure showed a mean oxygen consumption of 9·4 ± 1·6 SD ml/kg per min, a mean respiratory quotient of 0·71 ± 0·05 SD, and a mean metabolic rate of 63 ± 12 SD cal/kg per 24 h. This compares with a group of infants with congenital heart disease not in heart failure with V̇o2 of 6·5 ± 1·2 SD ml/min per kg, respiratory quotient of 0·80 ± 0 11 SD, and basal metabolic rate of 45 ± 8 SD cal/kg per 24 h. These differences are significant (P <0·001). The findings of a greater metabolic rate associated with congestive heart failure are thus extended to the newborn period.