Developmental Status With Malnourished Children: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study

Abstract

A balanced diet leads to a good state of health. In India, pediatric malnutrition accounts for 22 per cent of the country's disease burden. Nutrition has a profound effect on the development of brain structure and function, and malnutrition may contribute to disease and developmental impairment in later life. The developmental evaluation assesses individuals' skills and potential. This study aimed to determine the relationship of protein-energy malnutrition with motor development and cognition among malnourished children. The research was designed as a cross-sectional observational study in the pediatric malnourished population at Acharya Vinobha Bhave Rural Hospital, Sawangi, India. The study included the children between 6 months to 5 years with Grade II, III and IV malnutrition, who was admitted in the pediatric ward and excluded those with Neurological problems, syndromes and chronic diseases affecting development. Developmental assessment of patients was done using DASII (Developmental assessment of Indian infants) scale minimum 1 week after recovery of the child from acute illness. Pearson’s chi-square test was used for calculating the statistical significance. The developmental assessment was done using DASII scale in 273children. Only 14.80% of children had normal mental DQ in grade II, whereas motor DQ was normal in 29.78% of grade II children. None of the patients with grade III and IV had normal mental or motor DQ. Mental development is more affected due to malnutrition than motor development, and the impact increases with increasing severity.