title: Protein-losing enteropathy in Transkeian children with morbid protein-energy malnutrition.
abstract: A commercially available radial immunodiffusion assay was used to measure serum and faecal alpha 1-antitrypsin concentrations as well as alpha 1-antitrypsin clearance in 17 children with kwashiorkor, 11 children with marasmic kwashiorkor, 10 children with marasmus, and 16 normal children. Serum alpha 1-antitrypsin concentrations were significantly higher than normal in the marasmus and marasmic kwashiorkor groups, and significantly lower than normal in the kwashiorkor group. The intestinal clearance of alpha 1-antitrypsin was significantly higher than normal in the marasmus and marasmic kwashiorkor groups, and significantly lower than normal in the kwashiorkor group. There was a significant inverse correlation between the alpha 1-antitrypsin clearance and serum albumin concentration in the marasmus and marasmic kwashiorkor groups. No such correlation was evident in the kwashiorkor group. It is concluded that protein-losing enteropathy is likely to play a significant role in the development and perpetuation of hypo-albuminaemia in children with marasmus and marasmic kwashiorkor but not in those with kwashiorkor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, University of Transkei, Umtata.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Iputo
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D011502:Protein-Energy Malnutrition / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism; D011504:Protein-Losing Enteropathies / Q000209:etiology*; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin