Protein Malnutrition In Children Research Articles

Plasmodium falciparum coinfection is associated with improved IgE and IgG3 response against hookworm antigens.

Background Plasmodium falciparum and Hookworm infections are prevalent in West Africa and they cause iron deficiency anemia and protein malnutrition in Children. Immune response of these parasites interact and their interactions could have repercussions on vaccine development and efficacy. The current goal of hookworm eradication lies on vaccination. We evaluated the effect of P. falciparum coinfection and albendazole treatment on naturally acquired antibody profile against hookworm L3 stage larvae antigen.MethodsIn a longitudinal study, 40 individuals infected with Necator americanus only, 63 participants infected with N. americanus and P. falciparum, and 36 nonendemic controls (NECs) were recruited. The study was done in the Kintampo North Metropolis of Ghana. Stool and blood samples were taken for laboratory analyses. Serum samples were obtained before hookworm treatment and 3 weeks after treatment.ResultsThe malaria‐hookworm (N. americanus and P. falciparum) coinfected subjects had significantly higher levels of IgE (β = 0.30, 95% CI = [0.12, 0.48], p = 0.023) and IgG3 (β = 0.15, 95% CI = [0.02, 0.52], p = 0.004) compared to those infected with hookworm only (N. americanus). The N. americanus groups had significantly higher levels of IgG3 (β = 0.39, 95% CI = [0.14–0.62], p = 0.002) compared to the control group. Similarly, N. americanus and P. falciparum coinfected participants had significantly higher levels of IgE (β = 0.35, 95% CI = [0.70–0.39], p = 0.002) and IgG3 (β = 0.54, 95% CI = [0.22–0.76], p = 0.002). Moreover, albendazole treatment led to a significant reduction in IgE, IgA, IgM, and IgG3 antibodies against hookworm L3 stage larvae (p < 0.05)Conclusion P. falciparum is associated with improved IgE and IgG response against hookworm L3 stage larvae. Treatment with single dose of albendazole led to reduction in naturally acquired immune response against hookworm infection. Thus, P. falciparum infection may have a boosting effect on hookworm vaccine effectiveness.

One-year follow-up of patients with melamine-induced urolithiasis in Southwest China

In 2008, more than 290,000 children suffered from urinary tract stones with a history of consuming melamine-contaminated powdered formula in China. Little was known about the long-term follow-up of outcomes of these patients in southwest China, so we conducted one-year follow-up investigation for further study. Thirty-six of 51 inpatients with melamine-induced urolithiasis were enrolled in this study. After 12 months follow-up, none of the children had vomiting, oliguria, gross hematuria, or fever. Twenty-seven patients were stone free, stones decreased in size in six patients and increased in three. Serum total protein, albumin, and pre-albumin increased significantly from baseline to 12 months, and renal function remained normal. Melamine-induced urolithiasis could not lead renal dysfunction at 12 months follow-up. The results of our study indicated that more attention should be paid to the prevention of protein malnutrition in children with a history of consuming melamine-contaminated food products.

Prevalence of protein malnutrition in children maintained on peritoneal dialysis.

A paucity of outcome measures exist for children, making evidence-based treatment guidelines difficult to establish. Serum albumin has been identified as a surrogate marker for nutritional status and morbidity/mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). We hypothesized that the prevalence of low serum albumin (<2.9 g/dl) in children on peritoneal dialysis (PD) may be greater, making this population at risk. Patient data were collected prospectively over 24 months (1999-2000) from all children (1-18 years) maintained on either hemodialysis (HD) or PD within the six-state New England area; 64 observations were made on 39 children on PD over the 2-year period. The mean age was 11.7+/-4.7 years (mean+/-SD). The prevalence of low serum albumin in children was 35.9% (23/64 observations) compared with 19.5% (712/3,719 observations) in adult Network ESRD patients on PD ( P<0.004). None of the 32 children (47 observations) maintained on HD exhibited low serum albumin during the data collection period. The prevalence of low serum albumin in adult HD patients was 5.5%. Dietary protein intake was estimated from a calculated protein catabolic rate (PCR). PCRs in children treated with both PD and HD were similar, averaging 1.1+/-0.4 g/kg per day (mean+/-SD). Thus, children maintained on PD are at greater risk of protein malnutrition compared with peers treated with HD and adults on PD or HD. A PCR of approximately 1 g/kg per day may not be adequate to maintain nutrition.

Serum Cortisol Concentrations in Children with Protein-Energy Malnutrition

ABSTRACT We measured basal Cortisol levels in 15 children with kwashiorkor, 15 children with marasmic kwashiorkor, and 21 children with marasmus, before and after nutritional rehabilitation, as wel...

Protein-calorie deficits in developing countries.

Twenty years ago, we were invited to present a paper on severe protein-malnutrition in children in a meeting organized by this same Academy. In reviewing that paper for this presentation, it was very frustrating to find that the basic principles we stated there in regard to the nature of the probelm and its epidemiology are as valid today as they were 20 years ago. As most other workers in the field, we were then particularly concerned with the severe forms of protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM): kwashiorkor and marasmus. These individual cases occupied a large proportion of pediatric beds in hospitals of most developing countries, and we were interested in finding better ways to treat them. But also we were studying these cases as a basis for understanding the responsible factors better and for designing possible preventive measures. The interrelations of kwashiorkor and marasmus were recognized then, as well the fact that both protein and calories should be considered together in the epidemiology of the problem. We were also beginning to understand that the severe clinical cases that we were seeing in the hospitals were only the visible part of a much greater problem affecting the communities from which these children came. With the knowledge then available on the epidemiology of PCM, we were also starting to explore some specific measures for its prevention. I would like now to review what progress we have made, if any, in the understanding of the nature and magnitude of the problem, its epidemiology, and in designing preventive measures.

Protein Malnutrition in Children: Advances in Knowledge in the Last Ten Years

This chapter discusses the characteristics of protein malnutrition in children, with an emphasis on the biochemical and metabolic changes. It focuses on the nutritional processes, the study of which has been stimulated by disease protein malnutrition, and which have a wider relevance in medicine and biology. It is clear that in the last ten years a great deal of new knowledge has been gained about the effects of protein deficiency and protein-calorie imbalance in human beings. It is, however, more than ever apparent that the major problem is not treatment but prevention. Scientific interest is concentrated less on the acute and severe deficiency state, and more on the mild and marginal forms of protein malnutrition. These early stages can be recognized with more sensitive and specific biochemical measurements. The interpretation of the biochemical findings depends upon an understanding of the metabolic adjustments to different levels of protein intake. Only in this way it is possible to distinguish between the changes that are trivial and changes that are significant from the metabolic point of view.

Alterations in Serum Proteins During Pregnancy and Lactation in Urban and Rural Populations in Guatemala

Studies were undertaken in Guatemala an area with low protein intake and prevalent protein malnutrition in children to see if there were any 1) differences in some blood and urinary biochemical parameters among women of 2 socioeconomic (SES) groups; and 2) whether characteristic effects on these parameters due to pregnancy and lactation may be explained as differences in protein nutritional status. 175 women were studied from 1 urban (middle and upper SES) and 2 rural (lower SES) areas who were pregnant lactating and/or nonpregnant. Low intake of animal protein was noted in women in the rural area. Hemoglobin hematocrit urinary urea nitrogen:creatinine ratio and serum proteins (fractionated by paper and starch electrophoreses) showed alterations attributable to geographic area SES or protein intake. Changes in these biochemical parameters induced by pregnancy were not affected by the area conditions or protein intake except for a higher intensity and prevalence of the starch gel electorphoretic pregnancy zone in rural areas. For comparison 186 sera of pregnant women in Toronto were examined and revealed that this zone increased with the stage of gestation and the number of previous pregnancies and/or maternal age. The nutritional significance of these alterations in the pregnancy zone is unknown. Absence of other group characteristic effects of multiple pregnancies or prolonged lactation attributable to differences in protein intake led to the following conclusions: 1) nutritional and physiological adaptations exist to minimize the need for additional protein; 2) the protein intake although below recommended levels was adequate to meet any increased needs of pregnancy and lactation; and 3) the methods used were not sensitive enough to detect the effects of a dietary inadequacy.

Contributions of Biochemistry to Understanding and Solving the World Problem of Protein Malnutrition in Children

Contributions of Biochemistry to Understanding and Solving the World Problem of Protein Malnutrition in Children

Use of calcium caseinate in the treatment of protein malnutrition in children

1. Nine children with protein malnutrition, aged 2 to 5 years, were treated with calcium caseinate, as prepared by us, at a level of 30 gm. protein/child/day from this source. 2. Disappearance of diarrhoea and oedema took a shorter time and rate of regeneration of serum proteins was faster than the time taken for the comparative changes reported by others by treatment with skim milk powder.

Protein Malnutrition in Man

This chapter focuses on protein malnutrition in children and discusses the historical setting in which the early reports of the disease appeared and the gradual recognition of protein deficiency as the primary cause. It describes the clinical manifestations of the disease, its treatment and causes and the practical measures now being taken to deal with the problem from the social and economic point of view. The changes that take place in the major constituents of the body: water, fat, and protein and what is known of the changes in fat and carbohydrate metabolism are discussed and some of the recent work on protein metabolism, protein synthesis, and enzyme changes in man is described. The chapter suggests ways in which the specialized knowledge and methods of protein chemistry can be applied to the problem of human protein malnutrition.

The place of processed protein foods in the treatment and prevention of protein malnutrition in children.

It is evident from the foregoing account that besides cereals and pulses which form important sources of protein in the diet of the low income groups in tropical countries, oilseeds and oilseed meals represent an abundant and a most important source of proteins which have not been fully utilised so far for supplementing human diet30,32. The problem of providing low cost balanced protein supplements utilising oilseeds and oilseed meals for combating malnutrition in under-developed countries has been engaging the attention of scientists in several countries30,32. FAO and UNICEF are also aiding governments through their regular and technical assistance programme in the production of low cost food supplements utilising oilseeds and oilseed meals32,51. There is a great need for further investigations to discover new combinations and preparations of local food, which can be used for feeding infants and children. There is no doubt that increased production and consumption of processed protein food fortified adequately with synthetic vitamins, at a cost lower than natural protective foods, will play a very important role in improving the diet and nutritional status of the majority of the population in tropical countries.

Principles of treatment and prevention of severe protein malnutrition in children (kwashiorkor).

Principles of treatment and prevention of severe protein malnutrition in children (kwashiorkor).