A study of myocardial dysfunction in children with severe acute malnutrition.

Children with severe acute malnutrition suffer from several changes in the body that could produce cardiac abnormalities. Aim The aim of the present study was to detect the frequency of myocardial injury in children with severe acute malnutrition by echocardiography and cardiac troponin (cTnT) level. Methods Forty one malnourished children (mean ± SD of age was 32.41±14.95 months) were matched with twenty one apparently healthy controls (mean ± SD of age was 28.76±13.97 months). Blood sample was taken for complete blood count, liver function test, serum electrolytes and cardiac specific troponin T levels. All the malnourished children were subjected to echocardiographic evaluation. Results Malnourished children showed a significantly lower left ventricular (LV) mass than control group. The LV diastolic function was significantly impaired in patients with severe acute malnutrition and systolic function was not affected. Cardiac troponin T was not significantly increased in malnourished children compared to control group. Conclusion Children with severe acute malnutrition have significantly reduced cardiac muscle mass, diastolic dysfunction but systolic function is relatively preserved compared to control group. There is no significant difference in serum cardiac troponin T level between these two groups