Study of cardiac changes in children with malnutrition

Apply

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

Clinico-demographic Profile and coinfections among hospitalized children with chikungunya in a tertiary care hospital of North India: lessons learnt

Background: Chikungunya is a vector-borne arboviral disease. Children are known to have atypical manifestations. Overlapping features with other infections can make the diagnosis difficult. Objective: The objective was t...

EP ID EP456408
DOI -
Views 77
Downloads 0