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Brainstem auditory and visual evoked potentials in children with protein-energy malnutrition
1Department of Pediatric Neurology, Akdeniz University School of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey. senay@med.akdeniz.edu.tr
Insights
Malnutrition, particularly kwashiorkor, disrupts central nervous system pathways in children, as shown by brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) and flash visual evoked potentials (fVEP). These electrophysiologic tests reveal significant differences in wave V latency and interpeak latencies, confirming neurological impact.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pediatrics
- Clinical Electrophysiology
Background:
- Protein-energy malnutrition significantly impacts child development.
- The developing brain is particularly vulnerable to nutritional deficiencies.
- Electrophysiologic methods offer insights into neurological function in malnourished children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of malnutrition on the developing brain.
- To utilize brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) and flash visual evoked potentials (fVEP) to assess neurological function.
- To correlate electrophysiologic findings with plasma protein and albumin levels.
Main Methods:
- BAEP and fVEP were recorded in children with kwashiorkor, marasmus, and healthy controls.
- Measurements included wave latencies and interpeak latencies (IPL).
- Data were analyzed and compared across the three groups, considering nutritional status and biochemical markers.
Main Results:
- No significant differences were found in early BAEP waves (I-IV) or fVEP wave IV (N2) latencies.
- Significant differences were observed in BAEP wave V latency and IPLs (I-V, III-V) between groups.
- Children with kwashiorkor exhibited prolonged wave V latency and IPLs compared to marasmus and control groups.
Conclusions:
- BAEP and fVEP are valuable non-invasive tools for assessing central nervous system integrity.
- Results confirm central nervous system disruption in children with protein-energy malnutrition.
- Kwashiorkor is associated with more pronounced electrophysiologic alterations, indicating significant neurological impact.
Background:
To determine the effects of malnutrition on the developing brain with brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) and flash visual evoked potentials (fVEP).
Methods:
The BAEP and fVEP of 11 kwashiorkor (8 +/- 1.56 months) and 10 marasmus (7.9 +/- 1.27 months) patients and 10 healthy control subjects (7.65 +/- 0.82 months) were recorded and the measurements were compared with each other in relation with plasma total protein and albumin levels.
Results:
There were no differences between the mean latencies of the waves I, II, III and IV and mean interpeak latencies (IPL) of the waves I-III of the BAEP and the wave IV (N2) of the fVEP between the three groups. Mean latency of the wave V and mean IPL of the waves I-V and the waves III-V were significantly different between the three groups. The kwashiorkor group had significantly longer mean latency of the wave V than the marasmus group on the right ear and the control group on the both of the ears. The kwashiorkor group had significantly longer mean IPL of the waves I-V than the marasmus group on the right ear and than the control group on the left ear. The kwashiorkor group had also significantly longer mean IPL of the waves III-V than the control group on the left.
Conclusions:
The BAEP and fVEP are non-invasive electrophysiologic methods reflecting the integrity or disruption of the central neurologic pathways. The present results confirm the disruption of the central nervous system with the BAEP in children with protein-energy malnutrition, especially in kwashiorkor patients.