Nutritional Intervention Improves Nerve Conduction in Malnourished Children Under 5 Years of Age.

Abstract

Aim: Adequate early nutrition supports neurological development, but data linking malnutrition to nerve conduction are limited. Our study aimed to assess how different forms of malnutrition affect nerve electrophysiology in children under 5 years of age and whether nutritional intervention can improve neurophysiological outcomes.

Method: A community-based study was conducted from 2021 to 2022 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) stunting, and wasting were recruited from the Mirpur slum area, Dhaka, and Dhaka Hospital, Bangladesh, respectively. Sensory and motor nerve conduction studies (NCSs) were performed before and after a 60-day nutritional intervention. A standard nerve electrophysiology tool was used for assessment and analysis.

Results: A total of 83 malnourished children (30 stunted, 22 with SAM, and 31 wasted) and 45 healthy children were enrolled. The median age was 2.1 years (range: 6 months-5 years), and 56% were male. Malnourished children had significantly slower nerve conduction velocities compared to healthy controls (p < 0.01). Following intervention, children with SAM showed significant improvements in motor (median, peroneal, tibial; p < 0.05) and sensory (sural, peroneal; p < 0.05) nerve conduction.

Conclusion: Nutritional rehabilitation improved nerve conduction in undernourished children, particularly those with SAM, underscoring the need for early intervention.

Trial registration: NCT05891457.