Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
07:56

Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts

Published on: January 29, 2018

Cognitive development in children with chronic protein energy malnutrition

Bhoomika R Kar1, Shobini L Rao, B A Chandramouli

  • 1Centre for Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences, Psychology Building, University of Allahabad, Allahabad, 211001, U,P,, India. bhoomika2000@yahoo.com.

Behavioral and Brain Functions : BBF
|July 26, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Chronic protein energy malnutrition (PEM) in children impairs cognitive development, slowing age-related improvements in higher cognitive functions like memory and attention. This can lead to lasting cognitive deficits.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Malnutrition, particularly protein-energy malnutrition (PEM), is linked to brain pathology and cognitive deficits in children.
  • Chronic PEM leading to stunting may impede the development of higher cognitive processes in children over 5 years old.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of stunted growth on the developmental trajectory of cognitive processes in children.
  • To assess cognitive functions in malnourished versus adequately nourished children using neuropsychological measures.

Main Methods:

  • Examined 20 malnourished and 20 adequately nourished children aged 5-10 years.
  • Utilized the NIMHANS neuropsychological battery to assess motor speed, attention, visuospatial ability, executive functions, comprehension, learning, and memory.

Main Results:

  • Malnourished children showed poorer performance in attention, working memory, learning, memory, and visuospatial ability compared to nourished peers.
  • Age-related cognitive improvement was absent in malnourished children for design fluency, working memory, visual construction, and learning/memory.
  • Despite deficits, malnourished children showed age-related gains in attention, visual perception, and verbal comprehension.

Conclusions:

  • Chronic stunting from PEM selectively affects higher cognitive process development, rather than causing generalized impairment.
  • Stunting can decelerate age-related cognitive improvements and potentially lead to long-term cognitive deficits in children.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Overview of Protein Metabolism01:21

Overview of Protein Metabolism

Proteins are broken down into amino acids during digestion. Unlike fats and carbohydrates, which are stored for later use, proteins are not. Instead, amino acids are either used to produce ATP through oxidation or contribute to the creation of new proteins for the growth and repair of the body. Any surplus amino acids from the diet are converted into glucose or triglycerides rather than excreted.
Amino acids play various roles in the body once they are absorbed into cells. They are restructured...
Information Processing Approach01:30

Information Processing Approach

The information-processing theory of cognitive development centers on fundamental mental processes, including attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. Researchers in this field examine how cognitive abilities, such as working memory, evolve and influence children's overall development. Studies indicate that children with stronger working memory tend to excel in reading comprehension, math, and problem-solving compared to peers with less efficient memory skills. Low working memory is also...
Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development from Childhood into Adulthood01:25

Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development from Childhood into Adulthood

Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development emphasizes the role of thinking in a child's learning process, suggesting that children are naturally curious about their environment. His approach to development is discontinuous, proposing that cognitive abilities progress through distinct stages, each with unique characteristics. Central to Piaget's theory is schemata—mental structures that allow individuals to understand and interpret the world.
Schemata: Building Blocks of Knowledge
Schemata...
Inborn Errors of Metabolism01:20

Inborn Errors of Metabolism

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a protein metabolism disorder characterized by high blood levels of the amino acid phenylalanine. This results from a mutation in the gene responsible for phenylalanine hydroxylase, an enzyme that converts phenylalanine into tyrosine. When this enzyme is deficient, phenylalanine builds up in the blood, leading to symptoms such as vomiting, rashes, seizures, growth deficiency, and severe mental retardation. An early diagnosis and a diet restricting phenylalanine intake...
Piaget's Stage 1 of Cognitive Development01:14

Piaget's Stage 1 of Cognitive Development

The sensorimotor stage, the initial phase of Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development, spans the first two years of a child's life. During this period, infants actively engage with their surroundings, building cognitive awareness through direct interaction with the world. This interaction is primarily based on sensory perception and motor actions, allowing infants to gradually understand basic physical properties and predict how objects interact within their environment.
Exploration...
Chronic Kidney Disease III: Interprofessional Care01:28

Chronic Kidney Disease III: Interprofessional Care

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) requires collaborative and comprehensive management. CKD progresses through stages and can lead to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) if untreated. Interprofessional collaboration and patient education are crucial, enabling patients to manage their health and improve their quality of life.Diagnostic approach for chronic kidney diseaseThe diagnosis of CKD primarily focuses on the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which assesses kidney function by measuring how well...