Study of cardiac changes in children with malnutrition
Journal Title: Indian Journal of Child Health - Year 2017, Vol 4, Issue 3
Abstract
Background: Children with malnutrition usually exhibit several alterations in the body composition, one of them being a loss of cardiac muscle and its consequences. Aim: The aim of this study is to detect the incidence of cardiac involvement among malnourished schoolchildren as shown by clinical examination and corresponding investigations. Methodology: This is a prospective case-control study conducted on 15 children between 5 and 15 years of age with malnutrition. Inclusion criteria were children who fall under the definition of moderate malnutrition as per the World Health Organization (WHO) Z-score based on the WHO Child Growth Standards. Children with known congenital/acquired heart diseases were excluded from the study. These children were assessed by echocardiography and estimation of cardiac troponin T (cTn T) levels for cardiac involvement that was compared with 12 healthy controls. Results: The mean left ventricular mass (LVM) was 16.74 units higher in children with normal nutritional status compared with malnourished children (p=0.092, 95% confidence interval=2.91-36.40).The mean LVM index was 4.76 units higher in children with normal nutritional status compared with kids with malnutrition indicating the reduction of cardiac muscle mass. Conclusion: As cardiac muscle mass is reduced in children with malnutrition leading to various complications, they need early detection, monitoring, and appropriate management.Background: Children with malnutrition usually exhibit several alterations in the body composition, one of them being a loss of cardiac muscle and its consequences. Aim: The aim of this study is to detect the incidence of cardiac involvement among malnourished schoolchildren as shown by clinical examination and corresponding investigations. Methodology: This is a prospective case-control study conducted on 15 children between 5 and 15 years of age with malnutrition. Inclusion criteria were children who fall under the definition of moderate malnutrition as per the World Health Organization (WHO) Z-score based on the WHO Child Growth Standards. Children with known congenital/acquired heart diseases were excluded from the study. These children were assessed by echocardiography and estimation of cardiac troponin T (cTn T) levels for cardiac involvement that was compared with 12 healthy controls. Results: The mean left ventricular mass (LVM) was 16.74 units higher in children with normal nutritional status compared with malnourished children (p=0.092, 95% confidence interval=2.91-36.40).The mean LVM index was 4.76 units higher in children with normal nutritional status compared with kids with malnutrition indicating the reduction of cardiac muscle mass. Conclusion: As cardiac muscle mass is reduced in children with malnutrition leading to various complications, they need early detection, monitoring, and appropriate management.
Authors and Affiliations
Alexander Mannu, Ganesh Narayana, Ganavi Ramagopal, Jaishree Vasudevan, Pradeep G Nayar
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP456408
- DOI -
- Views 86
- Downloads 0
Alterations of thyroid function in overweight and obese children: An update
Background: Children with simple overweight and obesity may have alterations in the function of various endocrine organs. Abnormal function of the thyroid gland is seen in about one-fifth of children with obesity. The un...
Study of cardiac changes in children with malnutrition
Background: Children with malnutrition usually exhibit several alterations in the body composition, one of them being a loss of cardiac muscle and its consequences. Aim: The aim of this study is to detect the incidence o...
Etiological evaluation of convulsions in children from 1 month to 14 years of age
Background: Seizures are a common problem evaluated in the pediatric emergency departments worldwide. Objective: The objective of the study was to study the etiology of convulsions in children aged 1 month–14 years. Meth...
Sleep duration in school-age children with epilepsy: A cross-sectional study
Background: Normal sleep is required for the optimal growth and development of the children. Ineffective or inadequate sleep is common in children with epilepsy. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to study the...
Role of ultrasound in early prediction of severity of dengue infection
Background: Dengue has become a major international health problem in recent years. As per the World Health Organization, dengue has shown a 30-fold increase globally over the past five decades, and approximately, 50-100...