Related Experiment Videos
Long-term effects of early kwashiorkor compared with marasmus. III. Fine motor skills
J R Galler1, F C Ramsey, P Salt
1Center for Behavioral Development, Boston University School of Medicine, MA 02118.
Insights
Early childhood malnutrition, specifically marasmus and kwashiorkor, significantly impairs children's fine motor skills into adolescence. These deficits in motor function persist, indicating long-term nervous system effects from early nutritional deficiencies.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Neuroscience
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Early life malnutrition, including marasmus and kwashiorkor, poses significant risks to child development.
- The long-term impact of severe early malnutrition on neurodevelopmental outcomes, particularly fine motor skills, requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the long-term effects of childhood marasmus and kwashiorkor on fine motor skills in adolescence.
- To determine the correlation between early neurological signs and later fine motor performance in previously malnourished children.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study involving children with histories of marasmus (n=53), kwashiorkor (n=50), and healthy controls (n=50) from infancy.
- Fine motor skills were evaluated using the Purdue pegboard test in participants aged 11-18 years.
- Correlation analysis was performed between soft neurological signs (measured 6 years prior) and current motor skill performance.
Main Results:
- Children with a history of marasmus showed impaired performance on two of four Purdue pegboard measures.
- Children with a history of kwashiorkor exhibited impaired performance on three of four measures.
- Early soft neurological signs were significantly correlated with adolescent fine motor skill deficits.
Conclusions:
- Early-life severe malnutrition (marasmus and kwashiorkor) has lasting detrimental effects on fine motor skills persisting into adolescence.
- The findings suggest that early malnutrition impacts nervous system development, with consequences evident up to 18 years of age.
- Persistent neurological deficits following early malnutrition highlight the critical window for nutritional intervention to optimize neurodevelopment.
Abstract:
Children with histories of marasmus (n = 53) or kwashiorkor (n = 50) in the first year of life and healthy comparison children (n = 50) were tested for fine motor skills by the Purdue pegboard test at ages 11-18 years. The performance of children with histories of marasmus was impaired on two of the four test measures. However, the performance of children with a history of kwashiorkor was impaired on three measures. The presence of soft neurologic signs measured 6 years earlier in the same children was significantly correlated with current pegboard performance, implying that early malnutrition has effects on nervous system function that are evident at least through 18 years of age.