Objective To explore the influence of early high-energy-density milk powder feeding on recovery and nutritional status in infants with congenital heart disease after surgery.

Methods A total of 82 infants with congenital heart disease were selected and randomly divided into control group (early routine formula feeding) and study group (early high-energy-density formula feeding), with 41 cases in each group. The recovery outcomes, nutritional status, feeding conditions, and cardiac function were compared between the two groups.

Results Mechanical ventilation time, treatment duration in Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU), and hospital stay in the study group were significantly shorter than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Compared with preoperative levels, the levels of prealbumin (PA), retinol-binding protein (RBP), transferrin (TRF) and albumin (ALB) increased significantly in both groups at 3 months after operation (P < 0.05); at 3 months after operation, the levels of PA, RBP, TRF and ALB in the study group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Compared with preoperative measurements, both groups showed significant improvements in height and body weight at 3 months after operation (P < 0.05); the height and body weight of the study group were significantly higher than those of the control group at 3 months after operation (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the study group had a significant lower rate of inadequate feeding and a significant higher rate of appropriate feeding (P < 0.05). Cardiac function of the study group was significantly better than that of the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion Early high-energy-density milk powder feeding after congenital heart disease surgery in infants can promote faster recovery, improve nutritional status, and result in more appropriate feeding, with a lower incidence of heart failure.