Biomaterial Database

Delayed nerve conduction velocities in children with protein-calorie malnutrition. 1977

A Kumar, and O P Ghai, and N Singh

Protein-calorie malnutrition in human beings and animals affects the myelination and growth of the nervous system. The effects of PCM on the developing nervous system were evaluated by measuring the nerve conduction velocities in 93 (38 marasmus, 13 kwashiorkor, and 42 control) children in ulnar, median, peroneal, and posterior tibial nerves. The children were divided into three age groups: Group I, six to 12 months; Group II, 13 to 24 months; Group III, 25 to 48 months. All 13 children with kwashiorkor demonstrated irritability, delayed milestones, and muscular wasting; and six also had hypoactive muscle reflexes. Conduction velocities were reduced in each type of malnutrition, with statistically significant differences in the three groups of marasmic children and in Group III kwashiorkor children. Children with kwashiorkor in Group II had significantly reduced velocities only in the nerves of the lower extremities. These data suggest PCM, when it occurs during the development of the nervous system, affects myelination of the peripheral nerves.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007223	Infant	A child between 1 and 23 months of age.	Infants
D007732	Kwashiorkor	A syndrome produced by severe protein deficiency, characterized by retarded growth, changes in skin and hair pigment, edema, and pathologic changes in the liver, including fatty infiltration, necrosis, and fibrosis. The word is a local name in Gold Coast, Africa, meaning "displaced child". Although first reported from Africa, kwashiorkor is now known throughout the world, but mainly in the tropics and subtropics. It is considered to be related to marasmus. (From Dorland, 27th ed)	Kwashiorkors
D009420	Nervous System	The entire nerve apparatus, composed of a central part, the brain and spinal cord, and a peripheral part, the cranial and spinal nerves, autonomic ganglia, and plexuses. (Stedman, 26th ed)	Nervous Systems,System, Nervous,Systems, Nervous
D009431	Neural Conduction	The propagation of the NERVE IMPULSE along the nerve away from the site of an excitation stimulus.	Nerve Conduction,Conduction, Nerve,Conduction, Neural,Conductions, Nerve,Conductions, Neural,Nerve Conductions,Neural Conductions
D011502	Protein-Energy Malnutrition	The lack of sufficient energy or protein to meet the body's metabolic demands, as a result of either an inadequate dietary intake of protein, intake of poor quality dietary protein, increased demands due to disease, or increased nutrient losses.	Marasmus,Protein-Calorie Malnutrition,Malnutrition, Protein-Calorie,Malnutrition, Protein-Energy,Malnutritions, Protein-Energy,Protein Calorie Malnutrition,Protein Energy Malnutrition
D002675	Child, Preschool	A child between the ages of 2 and 5.	Children, Preschool,Preschool Child,Preschool Children
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man