Electrophysiological assessment of brain function in severe malnutrition

ABSTRACT

Brain function in severely malnourished children was assessed using computer analysis of electroencephalographic (EEG) responses to photic driving at different frequencies during slow-wave sleep. Percent power in the classical EEG broad-band domains was derived from temporo-occipital records. Ten malnourished infants (5 - 23 months) age and sex-matched with 10 healthy controls (CON), having no neurological involvement or previous malnutrition, were studied. The malnourished group was tested on admission (ADM) and on discharge (DIS) from hospital. The results revealed significant differences in the alpha 1 band for the undriven EEG, and in the alpha/beta 1 power ratio while driving at 8 Hz, between the malnourished and control groups. ADM and DIS groups did not differ significantly, but there was a significant trend towards reduction from ADM to DIS to CON. These findings indicate that in malnutrition (1) EEG measures can index the deviation of brain function from normality, and (2) physical properties relating to brain function remain abnormal despite anthropometric catch up. (AU)