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Serum ghrelin in infants with protein-energy malnutrition

M A El-Hodhod1, E K Emam, Y A Zeitoun

  • 1Department of Pediatric, Faculty of medicine, Ain Shams University Cairo, Egypt. moshodhod@yahoo.com

Clinical Nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland)
|March 6, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Serum ghrelin levels are elevated in infants with protein-energy malnutrition (PEM). This elevation appears to be an adaptive response to malnutrition, potentially playing a role in recovery.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Pediatrics
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Ghrelin is a key regulator of appetite and body weight.
  • The relationship between ghrelin and protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) requires further investigation.
  • Assessing serum ghrelin levels in PEM patients is crucial for understanding its role.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate serum ghrelin levels in infants diagnosed with PEM.
  • To determine the correlation between ghrelin levels and various patient-specific factors.
  • To elucidate the physiological role of ghrelin in the context of malnutrition.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 30 infants with PEM (marasmic, kwashiorkor, and marasmic kwashiorkor) and 15 healthy controls.
  • Radioimmunoassay (RIA) was utilized to measure plasma ghrelin concentrations.
  • Comprehensive medical histories and clinical assessments were conducted for all participants.

Main Results:

  • Serum ghrelin levels were significantly higher in all three PEM subgroups compared to controls.
  • No significant differences in ghrelin levels were observed between the different PEM subtypes.
  • Factors such as parasitic infections, edema, feeding type, and gender did not significantly impact ghrelin levels.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated serum ghrelin in PEM is likely an adaptive response to malnutrition, not a primary cause.
  • While not directly aiding growth failure due to nutrient deficiency, elevated ghrelin may support catch-up growth post-recovery.
  • Future research should explore ghrelin-based therapeutic interventions during the recovery phase of PEM.
Abstract

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