Various biological parameters in sub-clinical protein-calorie malnutrition in Ivory Coast children
Pique, G.; Roy, C.; Gateff, C.
Medecine Tropicale Revue du Corps de Sante Colonial 42(6): 649-658
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-682X PMID: 6296598 Document Number: 194685
Protein malnutrition is the main aspect of infant pathology in the Third World. This review has been undertaken to find out some early biological indicators of nutritional deficiencies. The review, based on a sample of 1 317 children between 1 and 3 years old, has shown: --in asymptomatic protein malnutrition, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, prealbumin and albumin all significantly decreased. They ease an earlier appreciation than body weight. In protein-calorie malnutrition, body weight remains the major indicator; --children weighing, associated with these parameters determinations, might improve the diagnosis of asymptomatic malnutrition. Indeed, nutrition education of mothers could be envisaged at an early stage. But quick method of determination of these parameters has still to be made practicable.