title: Plasma biochemical parameters in Nigerian children with protein energy malnutrition.
abstract: Eleven plasma biochemical parameters were estimated in a total of 28 children with protein-energy malnutrition (PEM): 7 children each category of marasmus, kwashiorkor, marasmic-kwashiorkor and undernutrition with ages between 8 and 48 months. The estimations were performed on admission and 8 to 24 days after treatment at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Nigeria. Plasma sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate and albumin levels were significantly (p < 0.05) higher after treatment than on admission. Calcium however, showed no significant change. Total protein and cholesterol were significantly (p < 0.05) raised after treatment for all the PEM types except undernutrition and kwashiorkor respectively. Globulin, urea and creatinine were significantly (p < 0.05) raised after treatment for kwashiorkor. These biochemical findings support the claims of clinical improvement in PEM children after a minimum of 18 days of treatment at the OAUTHC in Nigeria.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
authors.forename: O O
authors.initials: OO
authors.lastname: Taiwo
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D001835:Body Weight; D015362:Child Nutrition Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000145:classification / Q000628:therapy; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000097:blood; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D011502:Protein-Energy Malnutrition / Q000097:blood* / Q000145:classification / Q000628:therapy; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D004573:Electrolytes; D012709:Serum Albumin