This prospective observational study aims to evaluate the effect of malnutrition on liver and spleen stiffness in children using shear wave elastography. Two groups of participants will be enrolled: children diagnosed with malnutrition and age-matched healthy controls. Organ stiffness measurements will be compared between the two groups to assess the impact of malnutrition on liver and spleen tissue properties.

This is a prospective observational study designed to investigate the effect of malnutrition on liver and spleen stiffness in children. The study will include two groups: children diagnosed with malnutrition according to WHO criteria, and age- and sex-matched healthy controls without any known chronic illness.

All participants will undergo shear wave elastography (SWE) to measure liver and spleen stiffness using standardized ultrasound protocols. Measurements will be performed by a pediatric radiologist blinded to the nutritional status of the participants.

The primary objective is to compare organ stiffness values between malnourished children and healthy controls. Secondary analyses will explore correlations between severity of malnutrition and stiffness values. The study aims to provide non-invasive insights into early organ-level changes associated with pediatric malnutrition.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Children aged 6 to 18 years.
• Diagnosis of malnutrition based on World Health Organization (WHO) criteria (for malnutrition group).
• Healthy children without any chronic illness (for control group).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Children with chronic diseases (e.g., liver disease, diabetes, immunocompromised conditions).
• Children who have previously undergone liver or spleen surgery.
• Children with inability to cooperate during elastography measurement.

This study will include children aged 6 to 18 years, divided into two groups:

1. Malnutrition group: Children diagnosed with malnutrition according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria.
2. Healthy control group: Age- and sex-matched healthy children with no known chronic illnesses.

Both groups will undergo shear wave elastography to measure liver and spleen stiffness.

The individual participant data will be shared upon request with qualified researchers, subject to institutional review and approval. Data sharing will be conducted in accordance with the university's data protection policies.

January 2026-January 2028

The individual participant data (IPD) will be accessible to qualified researchers upon request. Access will be granted following the approval of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) or relevant ethics committee. Researchers will be provided with access to de-identified data, including liver and spleen stiffness measurements, to ensure participant privacy. Access will be granted through a secure data-sharing platform or through direct data transfer from the research team. Data access will be subject to the terms and conditions of the institution's data-sharing policy.