BASAL METABOLISM OF TUBERCULOUS CHILDREN

Abstract

In previous studies of the basal metabolism of tuberculous children, it was found that of 143 children with pulmonary tuberculosis of the primary, or childhood, type, 96 per cent had increased basal metabolism even in the presence of a normal temperature. 1 Serial studies made on 20 of these children over periods ranging from six months to three years revealed that the basal metabolism remained high as long as the tuberculous process remained active, as evidenced by physical signs, positive roentgenographic findings and an increased sedimentation rate. When the infection became inactive, the basal metabolism fell to a normal level. 2 It was concluded from these studies that the basal metabolic rate is an additional criterion of the activity of a primary tuberculous lesion. In the presence of a normal temperature, high basal metabolism indicates that the tuberculous process is still active; a return to normal metabolism indicates that the tuberculous process