RESUMO
Background: Malnourished children suffer from many alterations in body composition, with loss of heart and skeletal muscle mass, complicated by electrolyte abnormalities and mineral or vitamin deficiencies that could produce cardiac abnormalities, including hypotension, cardiac arrhythmias and cardiomyopathy, cardiac failure and even sudden death. The aim of the study: The present study was undertaken to study the myocardial function and cardiac chamber dimensions in children with severe acute malnutrition admitted in a tertiary care center. Materials and methods: This case-control study included WHO criteria for Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) satisfying children as cases and healthy children as controls. Anthropometric data were collected and echocardiographic evaluation is done for all children. Results: Left ventricular end systolic diameter, diastolic diameter, inter ventricular septum thickness, posterior wall thickness, left ventricular mass and mass index were significantly lower in malnourished children compared to the healthy control group. Conclusion: In the present study, left ventricular dimensions were found to be reduced in malnourished children; hence, assessment of these parameters may prove to be an important tool in early detection of cardiac dysfunction in severe acute malnutrition, which may help in reducing morbidity and mortality related to severe acute malnutrition.