Pediatric Cardiac Nutrition Program (PECAN)

We are one of the few programs in the U.S. that provides comprehensive nutritional care through the lens of pediatric cardiology. Rather than having to navigate between separate specialists, families work only with our coordinated multidisciplinary team, which includes:

• Cardiologists
• Gastroenterologists
• Dietitians
• Feeding therapists
• Nurse practitioners and physician assistants

This collaborative approach ensures that feeding, medication, surgical plans, and recovery are all aligned to support a child’s health and development.

Many children with CHDs struggle to gain weight because of:

• Increased calorie needs, which makes the heart work harder and burns more energy
• Fatigue, which can make it difficult to complete a full meal
• Digestive issues that impair blood flow to the intestines, affecting nutrient absorption
• Fluid restrictions that may limit overall calorie and nutrient intake

These challenges require thoughtful, expert care that adapts to a child’s unique condition and stage of treatment.

Our experience and expertise with the many aspects of the heart and nutrition help us understand the unique needs of each patient as they go through the three stages of heart surgery.

Before surgery

Before heart surgery, we evaluate a child’s current nutrition. Collaborating closely with their cardiologist and other specialists, we can recommend changes to help the child grow.

Whether it’s increasing their intake or protein, adding vitamins and supplements to their day, helping them build muscle, or addressing feeding difficulties — we work to get a child as strong as possible before a procedure.

Recovery in the hospital

We make regular rounds in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) and Advanced Cardiac Care Unit (ACCU), working with hospital dietitians and other care providers to help patients. We support lactation and tube feeding, manage gastrointestinal symptoms, promote healing through proper nutrition, and coordinate care for children receiving esophageal or aerodigestive treatment.

Recovery at home

Patients and their families continue receiving nutritional support at home through in-person clinics and virtual follow-up appointments, as part of our outpatient services that aim to help a child recover, grow, and thrive at home.

For instance, we continue monitoring a child’s growth, help their family plan meals and formulas, and provide support with medications. We also help with feeding therapy and swallowing assessments. Families also have our support through structured tube weaning programs aimed to gradually increase oral food intake and decrease need for nasogastric or G-tube feeding.