ECG as a prognostic instrument in Kwashiorkor.

Serial ECG studies were carried out on 32 cases of severe kwashiorkor and two cases of marasmus. Single readings were also carried out on 10 controls. In those cases which had a bad prognosis, particularly those that died, there was a marked shift of the axis of the mean QRS vector of the limb leads to the right. Those that did not deteriorate showed no such shift, and those that deteriorated but eventually recovered, showed a shift to the left in the recovery phase. No such shift was noted in the two cases of marasmus. I suggest that this shift in mean QRS vector could be a useful and accurate prognostic guide.