Abstract
A nutrition survey including biochemical and immunologic indicators was performed to establish the prevalence of malnutrition in hospitalized pediatric patients. Serum albumin levels & hematocrit were determined by micromethod expressing results as %ofthe mean normal level for age.Cellular inmunity was evaluated by skin tests to PPD and Candida Albicans. One hundred and sixty patients (age range 2 months to 16 years)were studied. Low serum albumin was found in 14% of all patients,in 7% of the medical and 28% of the surgical group.A negative relationship was found between lenght of stay and albumin levels. Normal albumin was found in 95% of patients with low W/H.Low hematocrit for age was found in 28% of all patients with a higher prevalence in medical patients(39% vs 18%).Infants studied had rates of low Hto comparable to the normal population, older children differed showing higher rates. A scarr as evidence of BCG was found in 82% of all cases,34% of which were PPD +.Skin test for candida were + in 32% of all patients. One or more positive skin tests were found in 42%, both test were negative in 48%.An important age related decrease in % positive for both tests was observed. No association was found relating albumin, W/H and skin tests. But a significant relationship was observed relating Arm Muscle Area to skin tests. These results suggest that patients present predominantly marasmus and some mild Kwashiokor protein energy malnutrition. A high rate of altered cell mediated inmunity was found amongst the patients studied.
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Hertrampf, E., Heresi, G., Saitua, M. et al. 68 NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF PATIENTS IN A PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL II BIOCHEMICAL ASPECTS. Pediatr Res 15, 194 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198102000-00125
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198102000-00125