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Protein-losing enteropathy in Transkeian children with morbid protein-energy malnutrition
Abstract
A commercially available radial immunodiffusion assay was used to measure serum and faecal 0.1antitrypsin concentrations as well as ai-antitrypsin clearance in 17 children with kwashiorkor 11 children with marasmic kwashiorkor 10 children with marasimus , and 16 normal children. Serum ai-antitrypsin concentrations were significantly higher than nonnal in the marasimus and marasmic kwashiorkor groups, and significantly lower than norIllal in the kwashiorkor group. The intestinal clearance of ai-antitrypsin was significantly higher than normal in the marasimus and marasmic kwashiorkor groups, and significantly lower than norIllal in the kwashiorkor group. There was a significant inverse correlation between the ai-antitrypsin clearance and serum albumin concentration in the marasamus and marasmic kwashiorkor groups. No such correlation was evident in the kwashiorkor group. It is concluded that protein-losing enteropathy is likely to play a significant role in the development and perpetuation of hypo-albuminaemia in children with marasamus and marasmic kwashiorkor but not in those with kwashiorkor.
