Neurodevelopmental Status of Children aged 6-30 months with Severe Acute Malnutrition

ABSTRACT

Objective: This cross sectional study was done to assess the developmental status inchildren (6-30 mo old) with severe acute malutrition (SAM). Methods: Study subjects wereenrolled from children in SAM therapeutic unit, and controls were selected from well-babyclinic of the institute. Neurodevelopment of both groups was assessed using theDevelopmental assessment scale of Indian infants (DASII). Developmental quotient (DQ) ?70was considered delayed.Results: Mean (SE) motor DQ 59.04 (0.74) and mental DQ 62.1(0.57) was lower in SAM as compared to controls (both P<0.0001). Clusters of early agewere normal but clusters with items of later infancy were delayed. Conclusions: Childrenwith SAM show significant delay in development, and motor DQ is affected more thanmental DQ.