Studies in Infantile Malnutrition: III. Effect of Protein and Calorie Intake on Nitrogen Retention

Abstract

In severe marasmus and in partially recovered malnourished infants, the retention of nitrogen is shown to depend on the total intake of calories as well as on the quantity and quality of protein ingested. If the caloric requirements are not met, protein is “wasted.” Early in the treatment of patients with hypoalbuminemia, with or without other signs of kwashiorkor, nitrogen retention is, to a great extent, independent of caloric intake but closely related to the quantity and quality of protein in the diet. After this initial period of repletion, nitrogen retention is also dependent on caloric intake.