[Behavioral development and nerve conduction velocity during recovery from malnutrition].

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To research if the improvement in psychomotor development observed during the treatment of malnutrition, is related to favorable changes in the speed of nerve conduction and in the excretion of hydroxy-indole acetic acid (indole). DESIGNED OF THE STUDY: Prospective, of a descriptive type, includes the follow-up of children during the first month of treatment.

APPLICATION:

To better know the impact which malnutrition has on mental development.

PATIENTS:

Nine children, ranging from three to 15 months of age, gravely undernourished.

INTERVENTION:

The neurological development, the speed of nerve conduction and the excretion of indole were evaluated at 10 day intervals.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS:

Using the Gesell technique in order to evaluate the development, the measurement of conduction through the medial and external popliteal sciatic nerves and indole excreted in 24 hours, a quantitative increase of all of these variables was seen in 24 hours. At the beginning the conduction speed was slow (less than 30 m/s) and the excretion of indole was very low (0.28 mg/24 h). After the tenth day these measurements returned to normal, although the development coefficient was found to still below at the end of the study (63.9 +/- 21.0).

CONCLUSIONS:

Simultaneous to the neurological deficit, there is a reduced speed of conduction, which returns to normal after the tenth day without a positive correlation with motor functions and development. Neither does the disponibility of serotonin (judged by the excretion of indole) correlate with the speed of conduction.

• Authors: L Vega-Franco, E Margarita Aguilar, C Meza Camacho, A Sánchez-Flores
• Journal: Boletin medico del Hospital Infantil de Mexico (Bol Med Hosp Infant Mex) Vol. 47 Issue 2 Pg. 85-90 (Feb 1990) ISSN: 0539-6115 [Print] Mexico
• Vernacular Title: Evolución conductual y velocidad de la conducción nerviosa durante la recuperación de la desnutrición.
• PMID: 1692467 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid

Topics

• Child Development
• Child, Preschool
• Humans
• Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid (urine)
• Infant
• Infant Nutrition Disorders (physiopathology, rehabilitation, urine)
• Motor Skills
• Neural Conduction
• Protein-Energy Malnutrition (physiopathology, rehabilitation, urine)