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Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
The assessment between IL-6 and IL-8 and anthropometric status in malnourished children
Cristina Oana Mărginean1, Lidia Man, Ana Maria Pitea
1Department of Microbiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tirgu Mures, Romania; adrian.man@umftgm.ro.
Insights
Malnourished children exhibit significantly lower levels of pro-inflammatory interleukins IL-6 and IL-8, along with reduced anthropometric measurements like BMI and MUAC, compared to well-nourished peers.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Immunology
- Biomarkers
Background:
- Malnutrition in children is a significant health concern with potential impacts on immune function.
- Interleukins, such as IL-6 and IL-8, are key mediators of inflammation.
- Anthropometric measurements are standard indicators of nutritional status.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-8) and anthropometric measurements in malnourished versus non-malnourished children.
- To assess if specific immune responses are altered in pediatric malnutrition.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 219 children, categorized into malnourished (BMI <-2SD) and normal nutritional status (control) groups.
- Anthropometric assessments included Body Mass Index (BMI), weight-for-age (W/A), height-for-age (H/A), mid-upper-arm circumference (MUAC), and tricipital skinfold (TSF).
- Paraclinical evaluation of serum levels for interleukins IL-6 and IL-8.
Main Results:
- 25.1% of the studied children were identified as malnourished.
- Malnourished children showed significantly lower mean levels of IL-6 (2.54 pg/mL vs. 6.02 pg/mL) and IL-8 (6.83 pg/mL vs. 9.06 pg/mL) compared to the control group.
- Statistically significant differences were observed in BMI, W/A, MUAC, and TSF between the malnourished and non-malnourished groups.
Conclusions:
- Malnourished children present with significantly lower interleukin levels (IL-6, IL-8) and reduced anthropometric indicators (BMI, W/A, MUAC, TSF).
- These findings suggest a potential functional impairment in the specific immune response of malnourished children.
- Further research may elucidate the role of these immune alterations in the development and progression of childhood malnutrition.
Purpose:
To evaluate the correlations between the pro-inflammatory interleukins IL-6 and IL-8 and the anthropometric measurements in malnourished vs. non-malnourished children.
Patients And Methods:
We have examined 219 children from Pediatric Clinic I, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tirgu Mures, Romania, during January 1, 2012-March 1, 2013 and divided according to Body Mass Index (BMI kg/m(2)) in the following two groups: 164 with normal nutritional status - control group (BMI between -2SD and +2SD), and 55 children with malnutrition (BMI <-2SD). All the children were evaluated anthropometric: BMI, weight for age (W/A), height for age (H/A), mid-upper-arm circumference (MUAC), tricipital skinfold (TSF) and paraclinical: IL-6 and IL-8 levels.
Results:
From 219 children, 25.1% were malnourished. The mean age was 5.16 years in malnourished. IL-6 and IL-8 mean levels were 2.54 pg/mL, respectively 6.83 pg/mL in malnourished and 6.02 pg/mL, respectively 9.06 pg/mL in non-malnourished. By statistically comparing IL-6 in malnourished group vs. control group, we observed decreased values (p<0.0001) and also significantly lower values for IL-8. We also obtained statistical differences between the two groups in BMI, W/A, MUAC and TSF. The BMI SD have an increasing trend line, from -4SD in newborn malnourished to -2SD in near 18-year-old malnourished; the trend line had only a slight ascension in non-malnourished children.
Conclusions:
The interleukin levels and BMI, W/A, MUAC and TSF are significantly lower in malnourished children than in non-malnourished. This functional impairment may be involved in the malnutrition to develop a specific immune response in these children.
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