Abstract
BACKGROUND: Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) results from food insufficiency as well as from poor social and economic conditions. Development of PEM is due to insufficient nutrition. Children with PEM lose their resistance to infections because of a disordered immune system. It has been reported that the changes occurring in mediators referred to as cytokines in the immune system may be indicators of the disorders associated with PEM. AIMS: To determine the concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines in children with PEM, and to find out whether there was an association with the clinical presentation of PEM. METHODS: The levels of serum total protein, albumin, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin-6 were measured in 25 patients with PEM and in 18 healthy children as a control group. PEM was divided into two groups as kwashiorkor and marasmus. The kwashiorkor group consisted of 15 children and the marasmus group consisted of 10 children. RESULTS: Levels of serum total protein and albumin of the kwashiorkor group were significantly lower than both the marasmus group and controls (p < 0.05). In view of tumour necrosis factor-alpha levels, there was no difference between groups (p > 0.05). While levels of interleukin-6 in both the marasmus group and the kwashiorkor group were significantly higher compared with controls (p < 0.05), there was no significant difference between the groups of marasmus and kwashiorkor (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It was observed that the inflammatory response had increased in children with malnutrition.
Highlights
Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM), the most widespread pattern of malnutrition, occurs most frequently in infants and young children as a result of a coincident lack of protein and calories, and it is commonly associated with infection
Data presented as mean ± SD. a,b,c p < 0.05, d p < 0.001; a and d refer to comparison with control group, and b and c refer to the degree of significance of comparison between the kwashiorkor and marasmus groups
Rates of whole-body protein breakdown and protein synthesis are greater in children with marasmus than in those with kwashiorkor during acute infection
Summary
Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM), the most widespread pattern of malnutrition, occurs most frequently in infants and young children as a result of a coincident lack of protein and calories, and it is commonly associated with infection. Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) results from food insufficiency as well as from poor social and economic conditions. Aims: To determine the concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines in children with PEM, and to find out whether there was an association with the clinical presentation of PEM. Methods: The levels of serum total protein, albumin, tumour necrosis factor-a, and interleukin-6 were measured in 25 patients with PEM and in 18 healthy children as a control group. Results: Levels of serum total protein and albumin of the kwashiorkor group were significantly lower than both the marasmus group and controls (p < 0.05). Conclusions : It was observed that the inflammatory response had increased in children with malnutrition
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
