The effect of wasting and stunting during severe acute malnutrition in infancy on insulin sensitivity and insulin clearance in adult life.

Adults who had non-edematous severe acute malnutrition (SAM) during infancy (i.e., marasmus) have worse glucose tolerance and beta-cell function than survivors of edematous SAM (i.e., kwashiorkor). We hypothesized that wasting and/or stunting in SAM is associated with lower glucose disposal rate (M) and insulin clearance (MCR) in adulthood.We recruited 40 nondiabetic adult SAM survivors (20 marasmus survivors (MS) and 20 kwashiorkor survivors (KS)) and 13 matched community controls. We performed 150-minute hyperinsulinaemic, euglycaemic clamps to estimate M and MCR. We also measured serum adiponectin, anthropometry, and body composition. Data on wasting (weight-for-height) and stunting (height-for-age) were abstracted from the hospital records.Children with marasmus had lower weight-for-height z-scores (WHZ) (-3.8 ± 0.9 vs. -2.2 ± 1.4; P < 0.001) and lower height-for-age z-scores (HAZ) (-4.6 ± 1.1 vs. -3.4 ± 1.5; P = 0.0092) than those with kwashiorkor. As adults, mean age (SD) of participants was 27.2 (8.1) years; BMI was 23.6 (5.0) kg/m2. SAM survivors and controls had similar body composition. MS and KS and controls had similar M (9.1 ± 3.2; 8.7 ± 4.6; 6.9 ± 2.5 mg.kg-1.min-1 respectively; P = 0.3) and MCR. WHZ and HAZ were not associated with M, MCR or adiponectin even after adjusting for body composition.Wasting and stunting during infancy are not associated with insulin sensitivity and insulin clearance in lean, young, adult survivors of SAM. These data are consistent with the finding that glucose intolerance in malnutrition survivors is mostly due to beta-cell dysfunction.

Liver fat in adult survivors of severe acute malnutrition.

The association between severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in early childhood and liver fat in adults is unknown. We hypothesized that exposure to SAM, especially severe wasting, is associated with fatty liver later in life. In this observational study, abdominal CT was used to quantify mean liver attenuation (MLA) and liver:spleen attenuation ratio (L/S). Birth weight (BW), serum lipids, insulin resistance (homeostatic model assessment), anthropometry and intrabdominal fat were collected. Mean differences between diagnostic groups were tested and hierarchical regression analysis determined the best predictors of liver fat. We studied 88 adult SAM survivors and 84 community participants (CPs); age 29.0 ± 8.4 years, BMI 23.5 ± 5.0 kg/m2 (mean ± SDs). SAM survivors had less liver fat than CPs (using L/S) (p = 0.025). Severe wasting survivors (SWs) had lower BW (-0.51 kg; p = 0.02), were younger, thinner and had smaller waist circumference than oedematous malnutrition survivors (OMs). In the final regression model adjusting for age, sex, birth weight and SAM phenotype (i.e., oedematous malnutrition or severe wasting), SWs had more liver fat than OMs (using MLA) (B = 2.6 ± 1.3; p = 0.04) but similar liver fat using L/S (p = 0.07) and lower BW infants had less liver fat (MLA) (B = -1.8 ± 0.8; p = 0.03). Greater liver fat in SWs than OMs, despite having less body fat, supports our hypothesis of greater cardiometabolic risk in SWs. Other postnatal factors might influence greater liver fat in survivors of severe wasting, suggesting the need to monitor infants exposed to SAM beyond the acute episode.

Severe malnutrition after bariatric surgery and clinic manifestations of infection.

This report describes the post-bariatric-surgery evolution of an obese patient who had low adherence to the diet and micronutrient supplementation. Four years after two bariatric surgeries, the patient was admitted due to transient loss of consciousness, slow thinking, anasarca, severe hypoalbuminemia, in addition to vitamin and mineral deficiencies. She had subcutaneous foot abscess but did not present fever. Received antibiotics, vitamins A, D, B12, thiamine, calcium, and parenteral nutrition. After hospitalization (twenty-eight days), there was a significant body weight reduction probably due to the disappearance of clinical anasarca. Parenteral nutrition was suspended after twenty-five days, and the oral diet was kept fractional. After hospitalization (weekly outpatient care), there was a gradual laboratory data improvement, which was now close to the reference values. Such outcome shows the need for specialized care in preventing and treating nutritional complications after bariatric surgeries as well as clinical manifestations of infection in previously undernourished patients.

Severe malnutrition after bariatric surgery and clinic manifestations of infection

SUMMARY This report describes the post-bariatric-surgery evolution of an obese patient who had low adherence to the diet and micronutrient supplementation. Four years after two bariatric surgeries, the patient was admitted due to transient loss of consciousness, slow thinking, anasarca, severe hypoalbuminemia, in addition to vitamin and mineral deficiencies. She had subcutaneous foot abscess but did not present fever. Received antibiotics, vitamins A, D, B12, thiamine, calcium, and parenteral nutrition. After hospitalization (twenty-eight days), there was a significant body weight reduction probably due to the disappearance of clinical anasarca. Parenteral nutrition was suspended after twenty-five days, and the oral diet was kept fractional. After hospitalization (weekly outpatient care), there was a gradual laboratory data improvement, which was now close to the reference values. Such outcome shows the need for specialized care in preventing and treating nutritional complications after bariatric surgeries as well as clinical manifestations of infection in previously undernourished patients.

RESUMO Este relato descreve a evolução pós-cirurgia bariátrica de uma paciente obesa que apresentou baixa adesão à dieta e suplementação de micronutrientes. Quatro anos após duas cirurgias bariátricas, a paciente foi internada por perda transitória de consciência, raciocínio lento, anasarca, hipoalbuminemia grave, além de deficiências vitamínicas e minerais. Apresentava abscesso subcutâneo no pé, mas não apresentava febre. Recebeu antibióticos, vitaminas A, D, B12, tiamina, cálcio e nutrição parenteral. Após a internação (28 dias) houve redução significativa do peso corporal, provavelmente devido ao desaparecimento clínico da anasarca. A nutrição parenteral foi suspensa após 25 dias e a dieta oral foi mantida fracionada. Após a internação (atendimento ambulatorial semanal) houve uma melhora gradativa dos dados laboratoriais, que estavam próximos dos valores de referência. Tal desfecho mostra a necessidade de cuidados especializados na prevenção e tratamento de complicações nutricionais após cirurgias bariátricas, bem como manifestações clínicas de infecção em pacientes previamente desnutridos.

Diarrhea, Dehydration, and the Associated Mortality in Children with Complicated Severe Acute Malnutrition: A Prospective Cohort Study in Uganda.

OBJECTIVE: To assess predictors of diarrhea and dehydration and to investigate the role of diarrhea in mortality among children with complicated severe acute malnutrition. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective cohort study, nested in a probiotic trial, was conducted in children with complicated severe acute malnutrition. Children were treated according to World Health Organization and national guidelines, and diarrhea and dehydration were assessed daily. Multiple linear and log-linear Poisson regression models were used to identify predictors of days with diarrhea and dehydration, respectively, and multiple logistic regression was used to assess their role in mortality. RESULTS: Among 400 children enrolled, the median (IQR) age was 15.0 months (11.2-19.2 months), 58% were boys, and 61% had caregiver-reported diarrhea at admission. During hospitalization, the median (range) number of days with diarrhea was 5 (0-31), the median duration of hospitalization was 17 days (1-69 days), and 39 (10%) died. Of 592 diarrhea episodes monitored, 237 were admission episodes and 355 were hospital acquired. During hospitalization, young age was associated with days with diarrhea, and young age and HIV infection were associated with dehydration. Both days with diarrhea and dehydration predicted duration of hospitalization as well as mortality. The odds of mortality increased by a factor of 1.4 (95% CI, 1.2-1.6) per day of diarrhea and 3.5 (95% CI, 2.2-6.0) per unit increase in dehydration score. CONCLUSIONS: Diarrhea is a strong predictor of mortality among children with complicated severe acute malnutrition. Improved management of diarrhea and prevention of hospital-acquired diarrhea may be critical to decreasing mortality.

Circunferencia media de brazo en preescolares y escolares hospitalizados como valor predictivo de desnutrición aguda / Media arm circumference in school and preschool hospitalized as predictive value of acute malnutrition

Se evaluó el poder predictivo de la circunferencia media de brazo para la identificación precoz de desnutrición aguda en niños preescolares y escolares hospitalizados en dos hospitales de Valencia, estado Carabobo. Se evaluaron 182 niños entre 2-10 años. Estado nutricional antropométrico calculado por: circunferencia media del brazo para la edad CMB y peso para la talla P/T. Se empleó paquete estadístico SPSS versión 15.0 y Statistix versión 6.0. Se determinó sensibilidad, especificidad, valor predictivo positivo y negativo por Teorema de Bayes; correspondencia por índice Kappa; diagnóstico de desnutrición aguda y sensibilidad por CMB y área bajo la curva ROC; nivel de confianza 95%. Se encontró 51,1% masculinos, 48,9% femeninos, edad 5,2 ± 2,2 años; 71,4% pre-escolares, 28,6% escolares con p=0,000 entre las edades. Cuando se ajustó por sexo y edad, la CMB se correlacionó significativamente con el peso (r=0,804; p=0,000) y la talla (r=0,510; p=0,000). Índice Kappa de 0,720 (p=0,000) para la comparación entre P/T y CMB en el diagnóstico de desnutrición aguda. Prevalencia de 28% por desnutrición aguda para P/T y 34,6% para CMB, con concordancia entre ambos indicadores. CMB presentó buena sensibilidad y especificidad, siendo más sensible y específica en pre-escolares y escolares masculinos para niños con desnutrición aguda. Punto de corte para desnutrición aguda en preescolares 14,9 cm, con sensibilidad 85,5%; especificidad 74,5%; para escolares 16,0 cm con sensibilidad 89,2%; especificidad 80%. CMB demostró mejor predictor de desnutrición aguda que P/T. Se recomienda establecer puntos de corte específicos por edad y sexo, para la definición y clasificación del déficit nutricional(AU)

The predictive power of the middle arm circumference for early identification of acute malnutrition in preschool and school children hospitalized in two hospitals in Valencia, Carabobo state. Was evaluated 182 children aged 2-10 years were evaluated. Anthropometric nutritional status calculated by: mid-arm circumference for age MAC and weight for height P/T. SPSS version 15.0 and Statistix version 6.0 was used. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value was determined by Bayes Theorem; Kappa index for correspondence; Diagnosis of acute malnutrition and sensitivity by MAC and area under the curve ROC; 95% confidence level. We found 51.1% male, 48.9% female, age 5.2 ± 2.2 years; 71.4% pre-school, school 28.6% (p = 0.000) between ages. When adjusted for sex and age, the CMB was significantly correlated with weight (r = 0.804; p = 0.000) and height (r = 0.510; p = 0.000). Kappa index of 0.720 (p = 0.000) for the comparison between P/T and CMB in the diagnosis of acute malnutrition. Acute malnutrition 28% prevalence for P/T and 34.6% for MAC, with agreement between both indicators. MAC showed good sensitivity and specificity, being more sensitive and specific in pre-school and school male children with acute malnutrition. 14.9 cm of cutoff point for acute malnutrition in preschool, with 85.5% sensitivity; 74.5% specificity; for school 16 cm with 89.2% sensitivity; 80% specificity. MAC showed better predictor of acute malnutrition P/T. It is recommended to set specific cutoffs for age and sex, for the definition and classification of nutritional deficit(AU)

Both Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency and Signs of Pancreatic Inflammation Are Prevalent in Children with Complicated Severe Acute Malnutrition: An Observational Study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether pancreatic function is impaired in children with severe acute malnutrition, is different between edematous vs nonedematous malnutrition, and improves by nutritional rehabilitation. STUDY DESIGN: We followed 89 children with severe acute malnutrition admitted to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, Malawi. Stool and blood samples were taken on admission and 3 days after initial stabilization to determine exocrine pancreatic function via fecal elastase-1 (FE-1) and serum trypsinogen and amylase levels. RESULTS: A total of 33 children (37.1%) had nonedematous severe acute malnutrition, whereas 56 (62.9%) had edematous severe acute malnutrition. On admission, 92% of patients showed evidence of pancreatic insufficiency as measured by FE-1 <200 µg/g of stool. Patients with edematous severe acute malnutrition were more likely to have low FE-1 (98% vs 82.8%, P = .026). FE-1 levels remained low in these individuals throughout the assessment period. Serum trypsinogen was elevated (>57 ng/mL) in 28% and amylase in 21% (>110 U/L) of children, suggesting pancreatic inflammation. CONCLUSION: Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency is prevalent in children with severe acute malnutrition and especially in children with edematous severe acute malnutrition. In addition, biochemical signs suggestive of pancreatitis are common in children with severe acute malnutrition. These results have implications for standard rehabilitation treatment of children with severe acute malnutrition who may benefit from pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN.com: 13916953.

Habilidade auditiva em criança desnutrida / Auditory ability in malnourished child

Objetivo Caracterizar e comparar o desempenho de crianças com desnutrição e crianças eutróficas nas habilidades do processamento auditivo. Métodos A amostra foi composta por 30 crianças na faixa etária de 5 a 10 anos, de ambos os gêneros, sendo 15 crianças com desnutrição, que compuseram o grupo amostral (G1) e 15 crianças com estado nutricional adequado, como grupo controle (G2). Os grupos foram pareados segundo gênero, faixa etária e escolaridade. Ambos os grupos foram submetidos à avaliação auditiva periférica e central. Resultados As crianças desnutridas apresentaram maior índice de alterações na habilidade de sequencialização sonora para sons verbais e não verbais, quando comparadas com as crianças eutróficas. O mesmo ocorreu nas habilidades de fechamento e figura fundo. Quanto ao grau do distúrbio do processamento auditivo, houve maior severidade nas crianças desnutridas. Conclusão Crianças com desnutrição apresentaram maior frequência de alterações nas habilidades auditivas, quando comparadas a crianças eutróficas, sendo as habilidades de ordenação temporal, memória auditiva, atenção seletiva, figura fundo e fechamento, as habilidades mais afetadas. .

Purpose To characterize and compare the performance of malnourished children and normal children in auditory processing. Methods The sample comprised 30 children from five to ten years old, both genders, being 15 malnourished children (G1) and 15 children with adequate nutritional status, as a control group (G2). The groups were paired according to gender, age and grade level. Both groups underwent peripheral and central auditory assessment, noting that malnourished children had higher changes in the skill of sequencing score for verbal and nonverbal when compared to normal children, and the same occurred in closing skills and background figure. Results Regarding the degree of auditory processing disorder, it was more severe in malnourished children. Conclusion Children with malnutrition have higher frequency alterations in auditory abilities when compared to normal children, being the temporal ordering skills, auditory memory, selective attention, figure-ground and closing the most affected skills. .

Protocolo de intervención para garantizar el derecho a la salud, la integridad y la vida de niños y niñas con desnutrición aguda, en casos de falta de consentimiento para tratamiento médico y nutricional / Intervention protocol to guarantee the right to health, integrity and life of children with acute malnutrition, in cases of lack of consent for medical and nutritional treatment

Es necesario un análisis de las causas de las demoras para poder coordinar una respuesta social organizada, de índole multisectorial, que procure preservar el derecho a la salud del niño y el bienestar integral de la familia. Esta respuesta debe incluir plazos, lineamientos y responsabilidades bien definidos para los actores involucrados . El protocolo pretende dar respuesta a los casos en los que padres o responsables niegan la autorización para que el niño pueda recibir servicios de salud necesarios, con el objeto de recibir el tratamiento integral en caso de desnutrición hasta lograr su recuperación nutricional. Presenta, además, la respuesta social organizada, a manera de apoyar el abordaje de las causas que la generan, lo cual condiciona la toma de decisiones de los padres o responsables en recurrir a los servicios de salud necesarios. En él, se describe la vía administrativa y judicial a la que puede recurrir el funcionario que detecta el caso, cuando así lo amerite. Las respuestas posibles a estos casos pretenden ser lo más adaptadas a situaciones familiares difíciles, incluso en casos en los que existen elementos delictivos que derivan en la falta de consentimiento de los padres o responsables. El protocolo pretende hacer prevalecer el interés superior del niño para su recuperación integral.