ffects of protein energy malnutrition on auditory evoked potential responses in childre n

Aim: Protein energy malnutrition affects myelination and growth of the nervous system. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of protein energy malnutrition on auditory evoked potential response in children. Materials and Methods: Study group includes 40 malnourished children of 5 – 10 years of age based on IAP and WHO classification for malnutrition. Control group consists of 40 normal children of same age group. Genetic and endocrine causes for short stature , children with ear pathology were excluded. Informed written consent from the parents / guardian was obtained. Brainstem auditory evoked potential was recorded. Results were analysed using unpaired student ‘t’ test. Result: There was a significant prolongation in wave I, II, III, IV latency , IPL I-III ,III-V in children with Grade III malnutrition and IPL I – III in Grade IandII malnutrition ( p < 0.05 ). Conclusion: The present study shows significant alteration in brainstem auditory evoked potential in children with malnutrition which may be due to nutritional deficiency affecting myelination of auditory brainstem pathways which depends on duration and severity of malnutrition. So brainstem auditory evoked potential can be used to detect malnutrition at its early stage.