The role of an experimental model as a predictor of morbility in children

Abstract

Children nutritional assessment by a food record remains controversial. Anthropometric and biochemical measurements are highly accurate. However, an animal model may predict and identify individuals at risk. We observed that some children despite no having evidence of inadequacies in body proportions, body composition, biochemical profile or dietary intake, showed a significant reduction in serum IGF I levels. In order to assess these discrepancies, a children population (aged 2 to 8) of the Southern of Argentina (Comodoro Rivadavia, province of Chubut) was studied. Anthropometric measurements, biochemical determinations and habitual food ingestion were collected. From 91 children attending a food program, 8% achieved low weights (W=-1.93 ± 0.42) and heights (H=-1.87 ± 0.24) (OMS, 2001), with appropriate WHZ (-1.14 ± 0.54); % body fat within normal range, and an adequate intake of energy, protein, heme iron, calcium and vitamin A according RDA, but serum IGF I decreased significantly (129.4 ± 83.9 ng/ml, p<0.05). After comparing to our rat experimental model of low fat-high carbohydrate diet, we did realize that short stature and low IGF I were common among individuals with nutritional dwarfing (ND). Issue that provides an explanation for individuals who have normal WHZ, but growing differently than expected. Unfortunately, the animal model revealed alterations in bone and mineral metabolisms that could be prevented in children following a diet intervention program. UBACyT O004 and O003.