Cardiac evaluation in children with malnutrition

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Cardiology
• Nutritional Science
• Cardiovascular Health

Background:

• Malnutrition significantly impacts child development.
• Cardiac function can be affected by nutritional status.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate myocardial changes in children with malnutrition.
• To identify specific cardiac alterations associated with malnutrition.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study comparing 47 malnourished children with 44 healthy controls.
• Utilized electrocardiography, echocardiography, 24-hour Holter monitoring, and biochemical assessments.
• Classified malnutrition using Gomez and Waterlow methods.

Main Results:

• Malnourished children exhibited lower left ventricular mass and impaired systolic function (reduced ejection fraction and fractional shortening).
• Myocardial performance index was higher, and corrected QT dispersion was significantly increased in the malnourished group.
• Cardiac function deterioration correlated with malnutrition severity and duration; no elevated troponin or complex ventricular arrhythmias were observed.

Conclusions:

• Malnourished children present with impaired cardiac contraction, particularly systolic function, and conduction system abnormalities.
• Early identification and management of malnutrition are crucial for preventing cardiac morbidity and mortality in affected children.