Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Myocardial Infarction in Neonatal Mice, A Model of Cardiac Regeneration
07:48

Myocardial Infarction in Neonatal Mice, A Model of Cardiac Regeneration

Published on: May 24, 2016

Myocardial dysfunction in malnourished children

Nagla Hassan Abu Faddan1, Khalid Ibrahim El Sayh, Hamdy Shams

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Egypt.

Annals of Pediatric Cardiology
|January 15, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Malnourished children exhibit reduced heart muscle mass and impaired systolic function. Elevated cardiac troponin T (cTnT) levels indicate cardiomyocyte damage and predict poor prognosis in severe malnutrition.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Nutritional Science
  • Biomarkers

Background:

  • Malnutrition in children leads to significant body composition changes.
  • These alterations can manifest as cardiac abnormalities, impacting cardiovascular health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the incidence of myocardial damage in malnourished children.
  • To assess cardiac function using echocardiography and cardiac troponin T (cTnT) levels.

Main Methods:

  • Compared 45 malnourished children with 25 healthy controls.
  • Analyzed complete blood count, liver/kidney function, electrolytes, and cTnT.
  • Performed echocardiographic evaluation for all malnourished children.

Main Results:

  • Malnourished children had significantly lower left ventricular (LV) mass.
  • Severe malnutrition impaired LV systolic function and ejection fraction (EF).
  • Elevated cTnT (24.44%) in severe malnutrition correlated with poorer outcomes and higher mortality.

Conclusions:

  • Reduced LV mass is characteristic of malnourished children.
  • Severe malnutrition significantly impairs LV systolic function.
  • Elevated cTnT levels are a significant indicator of cardiomyocyte damage and prognosis in malnourished children.
Abstract

Keywords:
cTnTechocardiographyprotein energy malnutrition

Related Concept Videos

Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy

Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is a rare heart muscle disease characterized by impaired ventricular filling due to stiffened ventricular walls, leading to significant diastolic dysfunction.EtiologyRestrictive cardiomyopathy can arise from both inherited and acquired diseases, many of which are systemic. It is categorized into four main types: infiltrative, storage, non-infiltrative, and endomyocardial diseases.Infiltrative diseases, such as amyloidosis, lead to RCM by depositing amyloid...
Imbalances in Cardiac Output01:26

Imbalances in Cardiac Output

The heart's primary function is to pump blood throughout the body, maintaining a balance between blood sent out (cardiac output) and blood returning (venous return). If this balance is disrupted, it can result in congestive heart failure (CHF), a severe condition where the heart becomes an inefficient pump, leading to inadequate blood circulation.
CHF can occur due to the failure of either side of the heart. Left-side failure leads to pulmonary congestion—the right side continues to send blood...
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy01:30

Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is a progressive myocardial disorder characterized by ventricular chamber dilation and contractile dysfunction.EtiologyVarious factors can cause DCM, including hypertension and heavy alcohol intake, which contribute to the weakening and enlargement of the heart muscle. Viral infections, such as Coxsackievirus B, adenoviruses, and influenza, can lead to DCM by causing inflammation and damage to heart tissue. Certain chemotherapeutic agents, including daunorubicin,...
Myocarditis I: Introduction01:21

Myocarditis I: Introduction

Myocarditis is inflammation of the myocardium, which is the muscular layer of the heart.EtiologyMyocarditis has a diverse etiology, including a wide range of infectious and non-infectious causes:Infectious CausesViral: Common viruses include Coxsackie A and B, adenovirus, parvovirus B19, enteroviruses, and influenza A.Bacterial: Examples include infections caused by Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Mycoplasma species.Rickettsial: Infections like Rocky Mountain spotted fever can result in...
Cardiomyopathy I: Introduction and Classification01:25

Cardiomyopathy I: Introduction and Classification

Cardiomyopathy, or CMP, is a group of diseases affecting the myocardial structure, impairing its ability to pump blood effectively. This condition can lead to arrhythmias, heart failure, or sudden cardiac death.Cardiomyopathies are classified into primary and secondary categories:Primary Cardiomyopathy refers to conditions involving only the heart muscle that are often idiopathic (of unknown cause) or genetic. They primarily affect the myocardium without the involvement of other systemic...
Pathophysiology of Cardiac Performance01:29

Pathophysiology of Cardiac Performance

Typical heart performance is influenced by heart rate, rhythm, myocardial contraction, and metabolism or blood flow. The cardiac muscle exhibits distinct electrophysiological features, including pacemaker activity and calcium channel control, which play a vital role in the heart's response to various drugs. The autonomic nervous system, comprising the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches, regulates heart rate. Sympathetic activation increases heart rate, while parasympathetic activation...