DYNAMICS OF CIRCULATION IN INFANTILE MALNUTRITION

Abstract

Hemodynamics in marantic infants were found to be on the margin of circulatory failure. Signs of disturbed circulation appear usually at a degree of wasting of more than 30% of the ideal weight. The condition is characterized by decreased blood pressure, cardiac output, stroke volume, by a longer circulation time and by increased capillary permeability for fluids and protein. Blood volume appears to be somewhat increased. A decrease in the physical work of the heart was found to be parallel to the wasting of the latter. Inequality of wasting of different organs results in a large brain, kidneys and body surface per unit of body weight, in contrast to an atrophic heart, and atrophic muscle system. The possible consequence of changed body proportion to circulation is discussed. The origin of circulatory disturbance in malnutrition was shown to be different from that observed in infantile toxicosis. The state of circulation in infantile marasmus seems to be one of the limiting factors in the rebuilding of the body and one of the causes of the high fatality rate following intercurrent banal infections.