The impact of malnutrition on intelligence
Kalra, A.; Mishra, M.N.; Kumar, R.; Prasad, R.; Dayal, R.S.
Indian Pediatrics 17(2): 109-116
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-6061 PMID: 7450841 Document Number: 166095
Studies were on 100 malnourished patients and well-fed controls, all from low socioeconomic group families and 1 to 12 years old. Intelligence was assessed on the Vineland Social maturity scale, the Seguin Form Board Test and the Standard Binet Test (Allahabad version). Mean IQ/SQ of malnourished children was 61.22 compared with 92.57 of the controls, the difference significant. No child in the malnourished group had IQ above 90 and 57% were mentally subnormal (IQ below 70). In the control group 64% had IQ above 90, 2% had above average intelligence and only 1% were mentally subnormal. With increasing severity of malnutrition, there was a significant fall in intellectual performance. When 35 of the malnourished were re-assessed 6 months after nutritional rehabilitation, their intelligence had improved.