Changes in the Nerve Electro Physiologic Properties Before and After Correction of Malnutrition in Under-5 Children

The purpose of this study is to measure neurophysiologic parameters to assess the effect of malnutrition on peripheral nervous system and their response to treatment in three categories (SAM, severe wasting and severe stunting) of childhood malnutrition. The electrophysiological properties of peripheral nerves in malnourished under-5 children before and after correction of severe malnutrition were assed.

This is an exploratory study conducted in icddr,b, Dhaka, Bangladesh. 83 under-5 children from three categories of undernourished groups- severe stunting (length-for-age Z-scores <-3), SAM (weight-for-length Z-scores <-3, and/or mid-upper-arm circumference <11.5 cm, with or without nutritional edema) and wasting (weight-for-length Z-scores (WLZ) <-2) were enrolled. A total of 45 age-matched healthy children selected as controls. Participants were identified from urban/peri-urban areas of Dhaka city. After enrolment, participants were brought to icddr,b Dhaka Hospital and data on socio-economic status, weaning practice, morbidity, and dietary intake were collected. Nerve electro physiologic parameters assessed by motor (median, ulnar, fibular and tibial) and sensory (median, ulnar and sural) nerve conduction studies (NCS) on enrollment.

SAM were treated with appropriate nutritional therapy/treatment that included supplementation of high calorie diet; i.e., F-100 milk and khichuri-halwa for nutritional rehabilitation. Egg-milk and micronutrient supplementation were provided for 2 months for recovery from severe stunting (following standard guidelines for facility based management and recently conducted community based nutrition intervention studies). As per national guidelines, children suffering from severe wasting with medical complications were treated with specialized therapeutic milks (F-75) and those without medical complications treated with a suitable local Nutritional Management (NM) & routine medicines to treat simple medical conditions at community nutrition center (CNC) with weekly follow up. Children were monitored in the community for 2 months. Monthly anthropometry had been done. On day 60 or 2 months of intervention, children with weight-for-length/height Z-scores ≥-1 and MUAC >115 mm were again brought to icddr, b for nerve conduction test.