Serum Thyroid Hormone Status in Children with Severe Acute Malnutrition

Abstract

Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is a medicosocial disorder characterized by a range of pathological conditions arising from a deficiency of protein and energy and is commonly associated with infections.To assess the serum thyroid hormone status in children with severe acute malnutrition.A Crosssectional descriptive study was carried out at Department of Biochemistry in collaboration with the Department of Pediatrics, Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College, Sylhet, Bangladesh from January, 2022 -December, 2022.Total 35 children were taken in this study.All children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM), attending the Department of Pediatrics, Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, during the study period was the study population.Among them who fulfilled the eligibility criteria for enrollment in the study were selected as sample.The mean age of total 35 children was 14.4510.03months, with maximum age 38 months and minimum age 6 months.Among them, 68.6% of SAM children were male (n=24) and 31.4% were female (n=11).Male to female ratio was 2.2:1 Most of the children were from urban area (74.3%) in the study population.On the other hand, according to monthly family income, majority were in low monthly income group (54.3%).Mean height and weight of SAM children were 49.976.56cm and 2.891.19kg respectively.However, mean value of MUAC and WHZ score was below the cut-off point (113.282.04mm and -2.491.19SD respectively).The mean FT3, FT4, and TSH levels were 2.900.79pg/ml, 1.090.32ng/dl, 5.531.67IU/ml respectively in the study participants.The mean TSH values in 6-12, 13-24 and 25-48 months group was 5.191.81,6.580.49,and 5.281.21IU/ml respectively and the range of TSH was 1. 78-7.72, 5.66-7.01,and 3.01-7.05IU/ml respectively.The difference of mean serum FT3, FT4 and TSH values were not statistically significant among the different age groups of study subjects (p value > 0.05), as mean values were quite similar in all groups.Among the study participants, 15(42.9%)respondents had increased TSH levels and remaining 20(57.1%)had normal TSH levels according to the cut-off point (0.7-6.4 IU/ml).Range of serum TSH in SAM children was 1.78-7.72(IU/ml).About 28.6% of respondents had reduced FT4 level and remaining 71.4% had normal FT4 level according to the cut-off point (0.8-2.0 ng/dl).Range of serum FT4 level in children was (0.58-1.72) ng/dl.Serum FT3, FT4, and TSH levels were found within normal reference range.Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that there was no change in thyroid hormone status in children with severe acute malnutrition.