Effect of Malnutrition on Femoral Cartilage Thickness in Pediatric Patients

Background/Objectives: Malnutrition is an imbalance of nutrients required for growth, development, and organ function. Its impact on bone development is known, but its effects on cartilage remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the femoral cartilage thickness in children with primary malnutrition. Methods: In this cross-sectional observational study, 83 children with primary malnutrition and 62 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included. Patients with primary malnutrition were classified as mild, moderate and severe. Femoral cartilage thickness measurements of all children were taken by ultrasound from the femoral lateral condyle, femoral medial condyle and intercondylar area for both knees with the patient in a supine position with the knees flexed 90 degrees. Results: The right lateral, right medial, left lateral, and left medial femoral cartilages were significantly thicker in patients with malnutrition compared to those without malnutrition (p = 0.002, 0.004, <0.001, and 0.001, respectively). A significant negative correlation was found between age, weight Z-score, and height Z-score and triceps skinfold thickness. Conclusions: Distal femoral cartilage thickness is significantly greater in children with primary malnutrition. This demonstrates the effect of nutritional factors on cartilage tissue and suggests that children with chronic malnutrition are at risk for both knee joint problems and short stature later in life.