Study of digestion and absorption in marasmus
Singh, I.P.; Nayar, A.; Sood, S.C.
Indian Pediatrics 14(9): 679-681
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-6061 PMID: 417997 Document Number: 122385
The subjects, 25 children with marasmus and 15 normal children 6 months to 3 years old, fasted overnight before they were given casein hydrolysate 1.5 g/kg bodyweight as a 15% aqueous solution. Blood was sampled before and 2 h after for estimation of proline. Faeces were collected for 72 h for measurement of fat. Average fasting proline in the patients was 14.6 plus or minus s.d. 12.6 mu g/ml and in controls 22.0 plus or minus 8.3; the difference was significant. After casein hydrolysate the values rose to 35.2 plus or minus 16.1 and 65.0 plus or minus 17.5 mu g/ml, respectively. Steatorrhoea was found in 14 of the patients.