Related Experiment Videos
Apolipoprotein A1 as an early index of protein-energy malnutrition
M Toure1, M G Sall, F Gauthier
1Laboratoire de Biochemie Médicale, Faculté mixte de médecine et de Pharmacie, Dakar, Senegal, France.
Insights
Plasma apolipoprotein A1 (apo A1) is a reliable indicator for diagnosing and monitoring protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) in children. This blood marker shows early improvement, aiding in nutritional status assessment in endemic areas.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Biochemistry
- Public Health
Background:
- Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) is a significant cause of childhood illness in Africa, often co-occurring with infectious diseases.
- Accurate assessment of nutritional status from blood samples is crucial for diagnosing and treating PEM.
- Existing methods may lack the simplicity or reliability needed for widespread use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate plasma apolipoprotein A1 (apo A1) as a diagnostic and monitoring tool for PEM in Senegalese children.
- To compare the efficacy of apo A1 with prealbumin and albumin in assessing nutritional status during refeeding.
- To determine if apo A1 can detect subclinical forms and aid in differential diagnosis of PEM.
Main Methods:
- Plasma levels of apo A1, prealbumin, and albumin were measured in hospitalized children with PEM and in a control group.
- Statistical analysis was performed to assess correlations and changes over time during refeeding.
- Nutritional status was monitored using these biomarkers.
Main Results:
- Plasma apo A1 showed a significant correlation with prealbumin in assessing nutritional status (P < 0.005 on day 8).
- Apo A1 alone was sufficient for diagnosing and monitoring PEM, including subclinical cases.
- Apo A1 levels increased earlier (94% of control values by day 8) than prealbumin (73% by day 8).
Conclusions:
- Plasma apo A1 is a sensitive and early indicator of nutritional status in children with PEM.
- Apo A1 can be effectively used for diagnosing, monitoring dietary treatment, and differential diagnosis of PEM.
- Apo A1 is proposed as a valuable index for assessing nutritional status in children in regions endemic for infectious and parasitic diseases.
Abstract:
Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) is, together with infectious and parasitic diseases, a major cause of childhood illness in Africa. Diagnosis and treatment of PEM requires an accurate, simple and reliable method of assessing nutritional status from a blood sample. Plasma apolipoprotein (apo A1), prealbumin and albumin were measured in a group of Senegalese children suffering from PEM who had been hospitalized for refeeding, and in a group of control children. Statistical analysis of the results indicated that: (1) Plasma apo A1 was significantly correlated with prealbumin in assessing nutritional status (P less than 0.005 on day 8 of refeeding); (2) plasma apo A1 alone was sufficient for diagnosing and monitoring the dietary treatment of PEM; it was capable of detecting subclinical forms; (3) apo A1 could be used for differential diagnosis of forms of PEM; (4) plasma apo A1 concentration began to increase earlier (94% of control values at day 8) than did prealbumin (73% on day 8). We therefore propose apo A1 as an index of nutritional status in children living in areas where infectious and parasitic diseases are endemic.