Long-term nitrogen balance in preschool children fed the safe level of protein from a cereal-legume-milk diet and adequate energy
Iyengar, A.K.; Narasinga Rao, B.S.
Human Nutrition. Clinical Nutrition 37(1): 43-51
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0263-8290 PMID: 6687723 Document Number: 216186
A long-term nitrogen (N) balance study was carried out in 5 preschool children (ages, 3-4 years) fed (previously-determined in a short-term N balance study) "safe" level of protein (1.75 g/kg) and 100 kcal energy/kg over periods of 45 (for 2 subjects) or 70 (for 3 subjects) days to test the adequacy of this protein level intake in sustaining an adequate positive N balance in young children. The study also sought to assess the extent of inter- and intra-individual variations in protein requirements of the children. The results indicated that all subjects were in a steady positive N balance throughout the study periods, with the mean N retention/day ranging between 54.5-87.5 mg day. All subjects exhibited a steady body weight increase over the study periods. There was no detectable tendency for an N balance decrease with time throughout the study. It was concluded that 1.75 g/kg protein, estimated from a short-term N balance study, was adequate when used in a long-term study. (wz)