Clinicobiochemical basis of iron profile in children with protein energy malnutrition

Abstract

Background: Protein Energy Malnutrition is a widely recognized major health problem in the developing countries of the world. PEM is an important cause of childhood morbidity and mortality, leading to permanent impairment of physical and possibly mental growth of those who survive. As PEM progresses, multiple organ dysfunctions develops, with increasing severity there is increasing failure in the homeostatic mechanism of the body and damages to the immune defenses, which may result in infections and death. Objectives: The objectives of this study was to estimate and compare the concentration of serum iron, ferritin and TIBC in PEM patients and healthy controls then correlate the values in the PEM children. Materials and methods: 30 cases of PEM and 30 healthy controls in the age group of 1-4 years were taken for the study. Serum ferritin, iron and TIBC were measured using Direct Chemiluminometric Assay - two site sandwich immunoassay method. Results: The mean serum iron, ferritin and TIBC were 64.60 20.30 ?g/dl, 46.60 22.40 ng/dl and 150.50 35.80 ?g/dl respectively which was significantly low (p<0.001) in children with PEM than in the control group. Conclusion: There was significant decrease in the serum iron, ferritin and TIBC in PEM patients when compared to the controls. Serum iron profile can be used as a prognostic marker in PEM patients. Future work in this area will provide a clearer picture regarding significant decrease in the serum iron, ferritin and its regulation by dietary and humoral factors.