Abstract Objective: To describe the changes in lifestyle behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic in children and adolescents with congenital heart disease and to investigate the association of congenital heart disease complexity with lifestyle behavior changes. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 127 children and adolescents with congenital heart disease, who underwent cardiac procedure (mean postoperative time: 10.11±3.13 years), conducted between December 2020 and January 2021. Lifestyle behaviors, such as dietary intake, physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep, were assessed through telephone interview based on validated questionnaires. Dietary patterns were identified using principal component analysis. Frequency of general and specific combinations of healthy and unhealthy lifestyle behavior changes was evaluated. Multinomial logistic regressions were used to test the association between congenital heart disease complexity and changes in lifestyle behavior. Results: The main lifestyle behaviors acquired during pandemic were: 83.5% decreased physical activity; 37.0% increased sedentary behavior; 26.0% slept more than usual; and 23.6% adopted a less-healthy dietary pattern. Almost half of the participants (41.8%) had at least one unhealthy change in lifestyle behavior. Complex congenital heart diseases were associated with increased sedentary behavior (OR 3.49, 95%CI 1.23–9.90). Conclusions: Children and adolescents with congenital heart disease had unhealthy lifestyle behavior during the pandemic, mainly in the form of reduced physical activity and increased sedentary behavior.

Resumo Objetivo: Descrever as mudanças nos estilos de vida durante a pandemia em crianças e adolescentes com cardiopatia congênita e investigar a associação da complexidade da cardiopatia congênita com as mudanças de estilo de vida. Métodos: Estudo transversal com 127 crianças e adolescentes com cardiopatia congênita, que realizaram procedimento cardíaco (tempo médio de pós-operatório: 10,11 (3,13) anos), realizado entre dezembro de 2020 e janeiro de 2021. O estilo de vida (alimentação, atividade física, comportamento sedentário e sono) foi avaliado por entrevista telefônica, com base em questionários validados. Padrões alimentares foram identificados por meio da análise de componentes principais. Frequência de combinações gerais e específicas de mudanças de estilo de vida saudável e não saudável foram avaliadas. Regressões logísticas multinominais foram utilizadas para testar associações. Resultados: Os principais comportamentos de estilo de vida adquiridos durante a pandemia foram: 83,5% reduziram a atividade física, 37,0% aumentaram o comportamento sedentário, 26,0% dormiram mais e 23,6% mudaram para um padrão alimentar menos saudável. Quase metade (41,8%) dos participantes teve pelo menos uma mudança não saudável no estilo de vida. Cardiopatias congênitas complexas foram associadas ao aumento do comportamento sedentário durante a pandemia (odds ratio 3,49, IC95% 1,23–9,90). Conclusões: Crianças e adolescentes com cardiopatia congênita apresentaram estilo de vida não saudável durante a pandemia, principalmente na forma de redução da atividade física e aumento do comportamento sedentário.

Abstract Background Children and adolescents with congenital heart disease may be more likely to develop atherogenic cardiovascular diseases in adulthood. Therefore, the early identification of risk factors and intervention in childhood may be crucial for a good quality of life and longevity. Objectives To describe the distribution of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c) levels and its association with socioeconomic, clinical and cardiovascular risk factors in children and adolescents with congenital heart disease. Methods Cross-sectional study with children and adolescents aged between 5 and 18 years, with congenital heart disease. Socioeconomic, clinical and cardiovascular risk factors were evaluated. HDL-c concentrations were evaluated by the direct method and categorized as desirable (>45 mg/dL), borderline (40-45 mg/dL) and low (<40 mg/dL). We also assessed the “undesirable” levels, consisting of the sum of “borderline” and “low” values for comparative purposes. The multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the factor associated with undesirable HDL-c levels. A p<0.05 value was adopted as statistically significant. Results Mean HDL-c was 51.2 mg/dL (SD 12.6), with a prevalence of 33.2% of undesirable HDL-c. In the multivariate analysis, C-reactive protein levels ≥ 3mg/dL (OR 3.26; 95% CI 1.32-8.04), age ≥ 10 years old (OR: 2.11; 95% CI 1.12-3.99) and undesirable levels of triglycerides (OR 2.21; 95% CI 1.13-4.75) were associated with undesirable HDL-c. Conclusion In this sample of children and adolescents with congenital heart disease, almost one third presented low or borderline HDL-c levels. Age ≥10 years, C-reactive protein and triglycerides were associated with undesirable HDL-c levels. These factors should be considered in the prevention of cerebrovascular diseases in adulthood in this population.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the frequency and prevalence of congenital heart defects in a tertiary care center for children with heart diseases. METHODS: We carried out an epidemiological assessment of the first medical visit of 4,538 children in a pediatric hospital from January 1995 to December 1997. All patients with congenital heart defects had their diagnoses confirmed at least on echocardiography. The frequency and prevalence of the anomalies were computed according to the classification of sequential analysis. Age, weight, and sex were compared between the groups of healthy individuals and those with congenital heart defects after distribution according to the age group. RESULTS: Of all the children assessed, 2,017 (44.4%) were diagnosed with congenital heart disease, 201 (4.4%) with acquired heart disease, 52 (1.2%) with arrhythmias, and 2,268 (50%) were healthy children. Congenital heart diseases predominated in neonates and infants, corresponding to 71.5% of the cases. Weight and age were significantly lower in children with congenital heart defects. Ventricular septal defect was the most frequent acyanotic anomaly, and tetralogy of Fallot was the most frequent cyanotic anomaly. CONCLUSION: Children with congenital heart defects are mainly referred during the neonatal period and infancy with impairment in gaining weight. Ventricular septal defect is the most frequent heart defect.

OBJECTIVE: To assess right ventricular diastolic function in the intermediate postoperative period of repair of tetralogy of Fallot. METHODS: We carried out a case-control study with 60 patients divided into 2 groups as follows: 1) group I - 30 patients who had undergone repair of tetralogy of Fallot and 2) group II - 30 healthy children. The 2 groups were paired for age, sex, and body surface. The flows in the pulmonary and tricuspid valves were analyzed with Doppler echocardiography. The presence of anterograde flow at the end of diastole in the pulmonary artery defined restrictive right ventricular physiology. Surgical, radiological, electrocardiographic, and echocardiographic variables were analized in the group I. RESULTS: The velocity of the A wave and the E/A ratio for the tricuspid valve showed significant differences between the groups. Cases with E/A < 1.30 predominated in inspiration (group I - 19/30, and group II - 5/30). The duration of the QRS complex on the electrocardiogram was significantly increased in patients with E/A <1.30. Nineteen (63.3%) patients had restrictive right ventricular physiology, which had a longer postoperative period, longer duration of the QRS complex, and a lower E/A ratio in inspiration. The surgical and radiological variables showed no statistical difference. CONCLUSION: Restrictive right ventricular physiology was detected on the intermediate follow-up of most patients undergoing repair of tetralogy of Fallot. The postoperative period and QRS duration were increased in patients with impairment in diastolic function.