Auditory brainstem potentials in children with protein energy malnutrition

In this study, auditory brainstem potentials (ABPs) were studied in children with protein energy malnutrition (PEM) to determine the effects of PEM on the developing brain in children.

A total of 31 children, aged 3-36 months with moderate/severe PEM and 25 healthy children, aged 3-48 months were included in the study. Nutritional status of the children was assessed by the Gomez classification. Recordings of ABPs were performed by using Nihon Kohden Neuropack 2 device.

Of 31 children, 22 (71%) had severe malnutrition, 9 (29%) had moderate malnutrition. Additionally, 8 (26%) and 9 (29%) children had iron deficiency anemia and hypoalbuminemi, respectively. There were significant differences in the mean latencies of the waves I-V on the right and left ears and in the mean interpeak latencies (IPLs) of the waves III-V and I-V on the right ear between the study and control groups (P<0.05). The mean IPLs of I-V on the left side were found to be longer in the moderate PEM group than those of severe PEM group (P<0.05). There was not any difference between the groups of PEM with low serum albumin and PEM with normal serum albumin. While the mean IPLs of I-III on the right side were found longer in the cases of PEM without iron deficiency anemia, the mean latency of wave I on the left side, and the mean IPLs of III-V on the right side were longer in the children with PEM plus iron deficiency anemia (P<0.05).

Our findings showed that children with moderate/severe PEM had ABPs abnormalities in different degrees, which reflect defects in myelination of auditory brainstem pathways in children with moderate/severe PEM. However, we found contradictory results between abnormalities in ABPs and degree of malnutrition and iron deficiency anemia. We think that more extensive studies should be performed to determine whether or not there was a relationship between these parameters.