Prothrombin time as an index of mortality in kwashiorkor.
Prothrombin time, serum albumin, aminotransferases and liver size were evaluated in 40 consecutive cases of kwashiorkor. Eleven (27.5%) of the 40 patients died. Eight out of the 11 patients who died had a prolonged prothrombin time of more than 3 s above the control compared to only 4 out of the 29 who survived (p = 0.005). Mean serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) albumin, globulin and liver size were abnormal but similar in both groups. These results may indicate a predictive mortality value of prothrombin time in kwashiorkor.
Akinyinka
O O
OO
Department of Paediatrics, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Falade
A G
AG
Ogbechie
C O
CO
D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007732:Kwashiorkor / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011517:Prothrombin Time; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000378:metabolism; D000637:Transaminases / Q000097:blood
D012709:Serum Albumin; D000637:Transaminases