Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

The electrocardiographic changes in kwashiorkor

M T Olowonyo1, F O Akinbami, O O Ogunkunle

  • 1Iye-Subomi Child Care Centre, Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria.

Annals of Tropical Paediatrics
|January 1, 1993
PubMed
Summary

Kwashiorkor in Nigerian children causes significant electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities, including low QRS amplitude and prolonged QTc intervals. These ECG changes are linked to myocardial atrophy, highlighting the cardiac impact of severe malnutrition.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Electrocardiographic features in children with severe falciparum malaria at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.

Research journal of health sciences·2022
Same author

The Paediatric Long Case Examination in the West African College of Physicians - Past, Present and Future.

West African journal of medicine·2021
Same author

Comparative evaluation of three histidine-rich Protein-2 based rapid diagnostic tests, microscopy and PCR for guiding malaria treatment in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria.

Nigerian journal of clinical practice·2021
Same author

Diagnostic Accuracy of a Clinical Scoring Scheme in Childhood Heart Failure.

West African journal of medicine·2021
Same author

Steroid response in primary childhood nephrotic syndrome in a tropical african environment.

Nigerian journal of clinical practice·2019
Same author

Accuracy of nelson and best guess formulae in estimation of weights in nigerian children population.

Annals of Ibadan postgraduate medicine·2015

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Cardiology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Kwashiorkor, a severe form of malnutrition, affects children globally.
  • Cardiac complications are a significant concern in kwashiorkor.
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG) findings in kwashiorkor require further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate ECG abnormalities in Nigerian children with kwashiorkor.
  • To compare ECG parameters between children with kwashiorkor and healthy controls.
  • To explore correlations between ECG findings and biochemical/hematological parameters.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study involving 90 Nigerian children with kwashiorkor and 90 matched controls.
  • Electrocardiograms (ECGs) were recorded for all participants.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Serum electrolytes, albumin, haematocrit, and cardiothoracic ratio were measured.

    • Main Results:

    • Children with kwashiorkor exhibited high rates of sinus tachycardia (91%), 100% low QRS amplitude, and 17% prolonged QTc intervals.
    • Significantly lower mean serum sodium, potassium, calcium, albumin, haematocrit, and cardiothoracic ratio were observed in the kwashiorkor group (p < 0.001).
    • A strong positive correlation was found between QRS amplitude and cardiothoracic ratio (r = 0.91, p < 0.001).

    Conclusions:

    • ECG changes in kwashiorkor, particularly low QRS amplitude, are strongly associated with myocardial atrophy.
    • The study underscores the significant cardiac involvement in kwashiorkor.
    • Findings emphasize the need for cardiac monitoring in malnourished children.