Serum Amino Acids in Kwashiorkor

Abstract

A method is described for estimation of the “balance” of groups of free amino acids in the serum. The method uses blood from a finger prick, and the separation of the groups is achieved by one-dimensional paper chromatography. The method has been applied to children with the signs of malnutrition in various degrees. In children with early and marasmic kwashiorkor, the ratio was high. In the same children, it was always low after hospital treatment. A single meal given at the start of treatment containing 5.0 or 10.0 gm. milk protein depressed a high ratio temporarily. In children attending a welfare clinic the height of the ratio was related to the general condition, as judged clinically, and to the intensity of various signs of kwashiorkor. Within certain limits, the ratio was well correlated with the deficit in weight for age, calculated from a local standard. The method may be helpful in the diagnosis of “potential” or “subclinical” kwashiorkor and may have many other uses as well.