Congenital Heart disease (CHD) is the anatomical disorders that are present in the birth that cause disorders in the heartʼs functions1,2. These anomalies are the developmental disorders of the heart where one or more of the abnormals, right or left atrium and ventricle development disorders or anomalies are present together, causing constriction or inadequacy of the heart valves and abnormalities in the coronary vessels1, 2, 3.

CHD is one of the most common congenital anomalies in newborns3. Its incidence is 1 % on average, and it is between 8 and 12 per 1000 live births. 10–15 % of children with this anomaly are included in the critical CHD group, and its frequency is 1.2–1.7 per 1000 live births2.

The most common acyanotic congenital heart disease among CHD are Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) and Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD). Greater Artery Transposition and Tetralogy of Fallot are the most common cyanotic diseases (TOF)2,4,5. Symptoms of heart disease in newborns are usually bruising, signs of heart failure, lung infection, weight gain, palpitations and chest pain. These symptoms appear as fatigue, palpitations, chest pain and syncope in older children1, 2, 3.

In children with heart disease, secondary problems brought about by the disease are also of great importance besides the characteristic findings of the disease. These problems include nutritional deficiencies, anemia, weight gain and growth retardation6,7. Upper respiratory tract infections in children, pulmonary hypertension, genetic and intrauterine causes, anoxia, heart failure, abnormal endocrine functions, inadequate nutritional and energy intake are among the causes of growth retardation8, 9, 10. In addition, swallowing dysfunction, edema, digestive and absorption disorders and gastrointestinal disorders can be seen in children who have undergone surgery for CHD. Chronic cyanosis is effective in nutritional disorders due to the age of the child, the need for cardiopulmonary bypass, the length of hospital stay and the prolongation of life due to mechanical ventilation9, 10, 11, 12. Therefore, approximately 25–55 % of children with CHD develop malnutrition13,14. Studies on the nutrition of infants undergoing surgery for CHD indicate that malnutrition causes poor growth, cardiac recovery, and post-surgical morbidity and complications14, 15, 16.

Breast milk is the first food to be preferred when switching to feeding in children who have undergone surgery due to CHD. Breast milk can be strengthened with Oprotin R by increasing the calorie density to meet the nutritional needs. The nutrition of these children should be supported with enteral nutrition. If the amount taken enterally does not meet the caloric and nutritional needs of the child, Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) should be preferred17, 18, 19.

Pediatric nurse should provide family-centered care service suitable for individualized nutritional needs by considering the child and family with chronic disease together20.

This study investigated the effects of individualized nutrition training for mothers of children with congenital heart disease (CHD) who underwent surgery. The research, conducted as a randomized controlled trial, took place at XXXXX University Medical Faculty, XXXX Hospital's Cardiovascular Surgery department between January 20th, 2021, and June 30th, 2021, in Adana, Turkey.