title: gamma-Globulin level and dietary protein intake during the first year of life.
abstract: To investigate the possible causes of relatively low blood gamma-globulin levels (less than or equal to 0.5 gm/dl) during the first year of life, 287 patients less than 1 year of age who were suffering from mild diseases were studied retrospectively. They were divided into two groups, those with a gamma-globulin level less than 0.5 gm/dl and those with a gamma-globulin level greater than 0.5 gm/dl. By reconstructing the diets given, it was found that they had been receiving isocaloric diets that differed only in protein supply: patients with lower gamma-globulin levels received 2.9 gm/kg/day of protein and patients with higher gamma-globulin levels received 4.0 gm/kg/day. Fifty-five healthy subjects were studied prospectively during the first year of life on two isocaloric diets that differed only in their protein content: the first one supplied 2.5 gm/kg/day of protein and the second supplied 4.0 gm/kg/day. At approximately 5, 7, and 10 months of age, hemoglobin, total protein, albumin, globulins, immunoglobulins, and other common blood parameters were measured. Patients on the lower protein diet had a gamma-globulin concentration of less than or equal to 0.5 gm/dl and those on the higher protein diet had a gamma-globulin concentration of greater than or equal to 0.8 gm/dl. Immunoglobulin levels, particularly IgG, were lower in patients on the lower protein diet. The subjects with lower protein intake and lower levels of gamma-globulin and immunoglobulins showed significantly higher morbidity.
mesh_terms: D001797:Blood Protein Electrophoresis; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000378:metabolism; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000378:metabolism; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000378:metabolism; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D009017:Morbidity; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D005719:gamma-Globulins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D001798:Blood Proteins; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D005719:gamma-Globulins