The Serum Chemistry in Uncomplicated Kwashiorkor

Abstract

An organized series of serum-chemistry studies were undertaken to characterize better the malnutrition syndrome of kwashiorkor. Blood samples were drawn from afflicted African children who, after dietary treatment with a dried skim-milk supplement, later served as their own "controls." A series of diagrams are presented indicating the changes in serum albumin, total globulins, urea, cholesterol, and alkaline-phosphatase, pseudo-cholinesterase and amylase activity relative to length of treatment. Kwashiorkor appeared to be characterized by low levels of albumin and blood urea and low levels of enzyme activity. The authors speculate on the possibilities that either (a) deficiency or (b) abnormality in the absorption or utilization, of one or more amino acids might be the major cause of the disease. 58 references are cited.