Evaluation of some Laboratory Parameters of Malnourished Children in Magaria District, Zinder, Niger Republic

Abstract

Background and Aim : Protein energy malnutrition (PEM) is the most common nutritional disorder affecting children in developing countries including Niger Republic and continues to be a major health burden in these countries. There is paucity of data on the pattern of laboratory parameters among malnourished children in Niger Republic. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the pattern of some laboratory parameters among under-five malnourished children in Magaria District, Zinder, Niger Republic. Materials and Methods : A total of 220 malnourished children and 220 age- and sex-matched well-fed apparently healthy (controls) children were recruited for the study. Albumin, glucose, calcium, phosphorus and hemoglobin were estimated in the subjects and the data were analysed using Sigma-Stat 2.0 for Windows (San Rafael, CA). Results : Serum albumin, calcium, phosphorus and hemoglobin were significantly lower (P < 0.001) in PEM children compared to the controls. The serum levels of albumin and hemoglobin were also found to be significantly lower (P < 0.03) in children with edematous PEM than in children with non-edematous PEM. Conclusion : PEM children had reduced serum levels of the measured laboratory parameters when compared to apparently healthy well-fed children with resultant hypoalbuminaemia and anaemia, with more marked reduction in edematous than in non-edematous PEM children. This suggests that routine measurement of these laboratory parameters and their subsequent supplementation in PEM children could improve the management of this group of patients.