HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS AND THYROID PROFILE IN SEVERELY MALNOURISHED CHILDREN: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: ). SAM and India has the highest prevalence of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) anaemia have an interplay association, the latter being the commonest comorbid medical problem. But now literature suggests that SAM is also associated with marked changes in secretion and metabolism of thyroid hormone as well as in the structure. METHOD AND MATERIAL: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 60 children between the age group of 6 months to 5 years fullling the criteria of SAM over a period of 2 months admitted at NRC, ABVGMC and District Hospital Vidisha. Detailed history of the child was obtained; complications were noted and managed accordingly. Blood sample was collected and was subjected to complete blood count, peripheral smear examination and thyroid prole. RESULTS: Out of 60 children of SAM, 11.67% had leukocytopenia and the same percent of children had leukocytosis. Thrombocytopenia was reported in 13.34% of the children and thrombocytosis was seen in 15%. TSH levels in children of age 6 month to 1 year of study population were in the normal range. Children of age 1 year to 5 years had values above normal in 7.31% and below normal in 2.43%. CONCLUSION: Megaloblastic anemia and dimorphic anemia along with high TSH level are prevalent in children with SAM along with iron deciency anemia but more specic studies are required to associate hypothyroidism with malnutrition and low serum protein.