Evaluation of Micronutrients and Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines Levels in Nutritionally Deprived Children-A Tertiary Care

Malvika Mishra1, Alok Raghav2, Prashant Tripathi3

  • 1Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Rajasthan, Jaipur 303002, India.

Nutrients
|December 9, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in children is linked to lower zinc levels and higher inflammation. Antibiotic treatment alongside nutritional support significantly improves outcomes in SAM children without complications.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) poses a significant public health challenge, particularly in developing nations like India.
  • A substantial number of children in India are affected by malnutrition, necessitating research into its contributing factors and management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate factors contributing to severe acute malnutrition (SAM).
  • To explore the relationship between micronutrient status and pro-inflammatory cytokines in SAM children, with and without complications.
  • To evaluate the effectiveness of antibiotic treatment in SAM children without complications.

Main Methods:

  • The study included 198 participants divided into three groups: healthy controls, SAM children with complications, and SAM children without complications (66 subjects per group).
  • Blood samples were analyzed for biochemical, hematological, micronutrient, and pro-inflammatory marker levels.
  • Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22.0.

Main Results:

  • SAM children with complications exhibited significantly higher levels of IL-6, CRP, and TNF-α compared to controls and SAM children without complications.
  • Both SAM groups showed significantly lower zinc and copper levels than controls, with a negative correlation between zinc and inflammatory markers.
  • Antibiotic treatment and nutritional support led to significant improvements in weight, height, and nutritional indices in SAM children without complications after 15 days.

Conclusions:

  • Combined antibiotic treatment and nutritional support demonstrate significant clinical benefits for SAM children without complications.
  • These findings offer valuable insights for improving the management and treatment strategies for SAM in India and other developing countries.
Abstract