Fish Protein Concentrates in the Treatment of Kwashiorkor

Abstract

Fifty-seven children suffering from kwashiorkor were hospitalized and given diets in which the major source of protein was from either fish protein concentrate (FPC) or skim milk. Diets containing fish protein concentrates were not well accepted by a large proportion of the children. In those who did consume it, both the clinical and biochemical responses compared favorably with those obtained in children receiving the diets containing skim milk, except for the increase in body weight after the disappearance of edema. Analysis of the cooked diets showed that the amounts of available lysine were lower in the FPC diets than in the skim milk diets. However, supplementation studies, using pure l-lysine, suggested that the lower gain in body weight could not be ascribed to this factor. Fish flour does not appear to be a satisfactory substitute for skim milk in the treatment of kwashiorkor, not only because of its non-acceptance by a large number of children but also because of its inability to promote body weight gains.