[Biologic profile in Tunisian infants (0-2 years), malnourished].
BACKGROUND
The malnutrition of the infants could be explained by a delay of the growth and the perturbation of biological parameters.


OBJECTIVE
To establish the nutritional profile of the Tunisian infant of less than two years. To specify the principal deficiencies and the possible origins of these deficiencies.


METHODS
In our transverse exploratory study, carried out in period of 9 month. This study was conducted in two groups of Tunisian young children less than two years old: a control group and a malnourished group (Z score < or = 2SD).


RESULTS
Our data consolidate the important impact of pregnant women nutritional state and of breastfeeding on the foetus ant infant growth.Compared to control infants, the malnourished young showed a significant alteration of different biologic parameters. This alteration appeared positively linked to the gravity of malnutrition as indicated by the positive relation obtained between the weight/height ratio and many studied parameters. The malnourished infants showed, notably, a significant reduction of the average values of Chol-HDL, apo AI, Vit E, TSH and TF4 levels and Chol-HDL/Chol LDL ratio. Chol-HDL, apo AI and HDL/Chol-LDL are found positively and significantly correlated with TF4. So, their reduction in ill children would be, at least in part, a side effect of the thyroid function reduction.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results confirm the existence of an important change of biological profile in malnourished young children. Besides, they emphasize that studies about young children could be helpful, notably, in the prevention and the fight against atherosclerosis.
Kamel
Mohamed
M
Ecole supérieure des sciences et techniques de la santé, faculté de medecine, Sfax, Tunisie.
Barkia
Ahmed
A
Chaabouni
Malek
M
Aouadi
Ridha
R
Srairi
Raja
R
Zouari
Béchir
B
Aouidet
Abdallah
A
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007228:Infant Nutrition Disorders / Q000378:metabolism*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000032:analysis; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000032:analysis; D014416:Tunisia
D013972:Thyrotropin; D002784:Cholesterol; D013974:Thyroxine