In infants with a ventricular septal defect, which co-diagnosis is commonly associated and can contribute to poor growth?

In infants with a ventricular septal defect, which co-diagnosis is commonly associated and can contribute to poor growth?

• A. Seizure disorder
• B. Failure to thrive
• C. Asthma
• D. Diabetes mellitus

Answer: (B)

Infants with a ventricular septal defect often face increased work for the heart and higher energy needs because of the abnormal blood flow. This makes feeding more tiring and can lead to taking in less nutrition during feeds. Over time, the combination of higher energy expenditure and reduced intake results in inadequate weight gain, which is termed failure to thrive. This pattern is commonly seen with congenital heart defects like VSD and explains the poor growth. Seizure disorder, asthma, and diabetes mellitus aren’t typically linked to VSD in infancy in a way that directly causes growth impairment, so they don’t fit as closely with the scenario.

Infants with a ventricular septal defect often face increased work for the heart and higher energy needs because of the abnormal blood flow. This makes feeding more tiring and can lead to taking in less nutrition during feeds. Over time, the combination of higher energy expenditure and reduced intake results in inadequate weight gain, which is termed failure to thrive. This pattern is commonly seen with congenital heart defects like VSD and explains the poor growth.

Seizure disorder, asthma, and diabetes mellitus aren’t typically linked to VSD in infancy in a way that directly causes growth impairment, so they don’t fit as closely with the scenario.