Abstract
We have studied 75 children at the Baca Ortiz Childrens Hospital in Quito,they have been pattern selected by hazard from a total of 1925 kids.Their ages are between 3 to 36 months.We have found a 72% of underfeeded, with a predominance of a third degree malnutrition (33,4%).The causes of hospitalization were:Bronconeumonia (45,3%), Diarrhea (26,6%), besides other pathologic problems (28,1%). We have correlated hematological findings in a nutritive state and serum folate level through RIA with I 125. We have found a high frecuence of Anemia (X=73,3%) with upper values for the underfeeded (75-82%) in relation with the normal childs (57%),being a significant statistic of difference. The most significant hematological finding (p < 0,001) was the presence of hipersegmented polymorphonuclears,only in the bad nutrited population,with an increasing percentage, according to the underfeeding degree. This parameter relates itself directly with de serum folate deficiency (-3 ng%). We have found folic acid deficiency in 68% at the total population, with upper percentages occording to the underfeeding degree (IIQ=83% and IIIQ=92%).Among the children with malnutrition the administration of folic acid must be considered as a fundamental part of the therapeutics. The presence of the hipersegmented polymorphonuclears, is a useful parameter,it indicates the folate deficiency,withouth the RIA sensibility.
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Teran, J., San Martin, E., Salazar, M. et al. 2 Malnutrition, Haematologic alterations and Folic Acid valuation by Radio Immuno Assay (RIA). Pediatr Res 15, 176 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198102000-00022
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198102000-00022