Abstract
The aim of the study was to measure the changes in resting energy expenditure (REE) induced by malaria and to assess to what extent they are related to fever and nutritional status. The REE of 19 Gambian children (mean age ± SEM = 9±1 yrs, weight 24±2 kg, expected weight for height 86±1%) was measured with a hood system at repeated intervals at the onset of malaria crisis (test A), 3 to 4 days after therapy (test B) and 14 to 21 days later (test C). There was no significant weight loss between A, B and C. The axillary temperature averaged 39.2±0.1, 36.6±0.1, and 36.7±0.1°C in the three tests respectively. REE in test A was significantly higher than REE in test B (223±10 versus 174±8 kJ/kg·day, p < 0.0001), but in test C (169±8 kJ/kg-day), it did not differ from the REE observed in test B. The relative increase in REE was correlated to the difference in body temperature (r = 0.46, p < 0.05); the slope of the regression line indicated an equivalent of 6.9% increase in REE/°C. The individual increase in REE/°C was correlated to the % weight for height (r = 0.54, p < 0.05). It is concluded that malaria crisis induced a transient 30% increase of REE which is promptly normalized if treated. This hypermetabolism was related to both temperature changes and nutritional status.
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Stettler, N., Schutz, Y., Micheli, JL. et al. 73 MALARIA, FEVER AND RESTING ENERGY EXPENDITURE IN GAMBIAN CHILDREN. Pediatr Res 30, 640 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199112000-00103
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199112000-00103