Sleep-wake cycle disturbances in protein-energy malnutrition: effect of nutritional rehabilitation

East Mediterr Health J. 2007 May-Jun;13(3):633-45.

Abstract

A standard sleep questionnaire was given to the parents of 26 infants with protein-energy malnutrition who underwent polysomnographic evaluation. These investigations were repeated approximately 2 months after enrolment in a nutritional rehabilitation programme based on World Health Organization guidelines. Anthropometric values and serum serotonin levels were also measured. After nutritional rehabilitation there was a significantly higher percentage of non-rapid eye movement (REM) sleep; 2nd REM time, and latency times for sleep and REM sleep increased. Percentages of REM sleep and serum serotonin levels decreased significantly. Protein-energy malnutrition seems to affect the sleep-wake cycle; disturbed serotonin levels may be among the factors responsible.

MeSH terms

  • Anthropometry
  • Body Height
  • Body Weight
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Child
  • Edema / etiology
  • Egypt
  • Female
  • Hemoglobins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant Nutrition Disorders / complications*
  • Infant Nutrition Disorders / diagnosis
  • Infant Nutrition Disorders / rehabilitation*
  • Nutrition Assessment
  • Nutritional Support
  • Polysomnography
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Protein-Energy Malnutrition / complications*
  • Protein-Energy Malnutrition / diagnosis
  • Protein-Energy Malnutrition / rehabilitation*
  • REM Sleep Parasomnias / blood
  • REM Sleep Parasomnias / diagnosis
  • REM Sleep Parasomnias / epidemiology
  • REM Sleep Parasomnias / etiology*
  • Serotonin / blood
  • Serum Albumin / metabolism
  • Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm / blood
  • Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm / diagnosis
  • Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm / epidemiology
  • Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm / etiology*
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

Substances

  • Hemoglobins
  • Serum Albumin
  • Serotonin