THYROID HORMONE STATUS IN CHILDREN WITH SEVERE ACUTE MALNUTRITION

Dr. Sudhir Mehta*

ABSTRACT

Background: Severe Acute malnutrition (SAM)continues to be a major public health problem throughout the developing world. It affects several aspects of secretion and metabolism of thyroid hormones. The present study has been conducted to study the effect of SAM on thyroid hormone. Methods: Present study was a cross sectional hospital based study. 50 children with SAM, equal number of controls of age group 1-5 years were included in the study; details were collected in predesigned proforma. Triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were estimated. The parameters were compared among cases and controls using appropriate statistical tool. Results: T3 and T4 levels were significantly low in SAM children as compared to controls. TSH levels were similar in both groups. Conclusions: SAM is associated with reduction in T3 and T4 levels without any alteration in TSH levels. The altered thyroid hormone status in children with PEM is perhaps a defense mechanism against excessive metabolic stimulation and energy consumption.

Keywords: Severe Acute Malnutrition, Thyroxine, Triiodothyronine.