Thymus size in children with moderate malnutrition: a cohort study from Burkina Faso.

CONCLUSIONS: In children with MAM, the thymus is smaller in children with anaemia or malaria, and grows with recovery. Assuming that thymus size reflects vulnerability, low MUAC seems to identify more vulnerable children than low WLZ in children with MAM.
IMPACT: Thymus atrophy is known to be a marker of the immunodeficiency associated with malnutrition in children.In children with moderate malnutrition, we found the thymus to be smaller in children with anaemia or malaria.Assuming that thymus size reflects vulnerability, low MUAC seems to identify more vulnerable children than low weight for length.Thymus atrophy appears reversible with recovery from malnutrition, with similar growth seen in children randomized to treatment with different nutritional supplements.
PMID: 32688368 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Pediatric Research - July 19, 2020 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Rytter MJH, Cichon B, Fabiansen C, Yameogo CW, Windinmi SZ, Michaelsen KF, Filteau S, Jeppesen DL, Friis H, Briend A, Christensen VB Tags: Pediatr Res Source Type: research