Cross-sectional study of blood biochemical profile in malnourished children admitted in pediatrics indoor in a tertiary care hospital with respect to severity of malnutrition

Background: Malnutrition encompasses both undernutrition and overnutrition. In India, undernutrition is widely prevalent among under-five children in resource limited rural and tribal dominated areas of Bankura district of West Bengal, where the study was conducted. In undernourished state, there is alteration in blood glucose, electrolytes, liver function tests, renal function tests, lipid profile etc. These metabolic and biochemical markers are very important for feeding and fluid management of malnourished children. Methods: The present study will provide an overview of blood biochemical changes in malnourished children aged 6 months to 60 months and admitted in Paediatric indoor of Bankura Sammilani Medical College. This prospective study included 105 children aged 6 months to 5 years, admitted with undernutrition and was categorized as per WHO classification according to its severity into moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) numbering 65 and severe acute malnutrition (SAM) numbering 40. Initial blood sugar, serum Na+, K+, liver function tests (ALT, AST, albumin, alkaline phosphatase), urea, creatinine, lipid profile were estimated as per standard protocol after taking consent from the parents of children included and were correlated with respect to severity of malnutrition. Results: Significant difference in mean serum values of ALT, alkaline phosphatase, albumin, urea, sodium, potassium, cholesterol and triglyceride was observed between MAM and SAM groups. However, differences in mean values of blood glucose, AST, HDL and creatinine were not significant. Changes in blood biochemical parameters were also observed in phenotypic variants of malnutrition, namely marasmus and kwashiorkor. Conclusions: Levels blood biochemical parameters vary with severity of malnutrition.