A study to investigate variations in biochemical and nutritional profile among severely wasted children on medical nutrition therapy: a hospital-based study

Abstract

Abstract Aim and objectives To study variations in biochemical and nutritional profile among children with severe thinness receiving medical nutrition therapy. Methods This study was conducted in 52 children of age between 5 and 12 years in Paediatric ward at Tertiary Care Centre over the period of 18 months. Serial anthropometry and blood collection was done on enrolment, 8 weeks and 6 months. Samples were analysed for serum lipid profile, calcium, magnesium, malondialdehyde and vitamin C levels. Results On enrolment all subjects had insufficient vitamin C levels, increased malondialdehyde levels, micronutrient deficiencies and altered lipid profile with less than desirable cholesterol, borderline HDL, severely low LDL and acceptable triglyceride levels. Subjects were started on MNT, i.e. indigenously prepared Ready-to-use therapeutic food. At 8 weeks, MNT improved vitamin C levels (91.1%) and 80% subjects had normalised malondialdehyde values and improvement in micronutrients with cholesterol (desirable in 44.4%), HDL (desirable in 51.1%), LDL values (acceptable in 24.4%) and triglyceride (high in 20.5%). At 6 months, subjects maintained vitamin C values to sufficient (81.5%) with normalising of MDA in 81.8% of subjects and with cholesterol (desirable in 55%), HDL (desirable in 33.1%) LDL (acceptable in 22.1%), and triglyceride (acceptable in 60%) and maintaining of micronutrients within normal ranges. 33.33% subjects showed improvement to thinness at the end of 6 months, while 44% subjects became normal by the end of study. Conclusion MNT or Ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) is effective in treating acute malnutrition and promoted as the treatment of choice for children in age group of 5–12 years.