Bhoomika R. Kar|Shobini L. Rao|Balasubramanian Chandramouli
Cognitive development in children with chronic protein energy malnutrition
University of Allahabad|National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences|National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences
malnutrition associated structural functional pathology brain wide range cognitive deficits reported malnourished children effect chronic protein energy malnutrition pem causing stunting wasting children could also affect ongoing development higher cognitive processes childhood 5 years age present study examined effect stunted growth rate development cognitive processes using neuropsychological measurestwenty children identified malnourished twenty adequately nourished age groups 57 years 810 years examined nimhans neuropsychological battery children sensitive effects brain dysfunction age related improvement employed battery consisted tests motor speed attention visuospatial ability executive functions comprehension learning memorydevelopment cognitive processes appeared governed age nutritional status malnourished children performed poor tests attention working memory learning memory visuospatial ability except test motor speed coordination age related improvement observed tests design fluency working memory visual construction learning memory malnourished children however age related improvement observed tests attention visual perception verbal comprehension malnourished children even though performance deficient compared performance level adequately nourished childrenchronic protein energy malnutrition stunting affects ongoing development higher cognitive processes childhood years rather merely showing generalized cognitive impairment stunting could result slowing age related improvement certain higher order cognitive processes may also result long lasting cognitive impairments