Brain MRI and cognitive evoked potentials in rural chronically undernourished children

Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cognitive evoked potentials were studied in 21 (10-13 year of age) rural undernourished children (2 were female). 17 healthy age and sex matched volunteers. Their neurological examination was normal and all were right handed. Three undernourished and 2 control children had hyperintense signals on T2 in MRI. The anterior and posterior hemispheric asymmetry was less pronounced in undernourished children (P < 0.01). P3 latency although was normal but the amplitudes of P2 and P3 were higher in the study group in all derivations (P < 0.01). This is consistent with a compensatory phenomenon following earlier nutritional deprivation.