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Changes in the red blood cell membrane in protein-calorie malnutrition
Insights
Children with protein-calorie malnutrition exhibit altered red blood cell (RBC) lipids and impaired RBC function. Nutritional recovery normalized these red blood cell membrane abnormalities and improved chromium survival.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Hematology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM) significantly impacts child health.
- Red blood cell (RBC) membrane integrity and function can be affected by nutritional status.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate changes in RBC lipids, osmotic fragility, and chromium survival in children with PCM.
- To assess the reversibility of these RBC alterations upon nutritional recovery.
Main Methods:
- Studied ten children with PCM (kwashiorkor, marasmus, marasmic-kwashiorkor) at admission and recovery.
- Analyzed RBC membrane cholesterol and phospholipid content.
- Assessed RBC osmotic fragility and chromium survival rates.
Main Results:
- Children with PCM showed elevated RBC membrane cholesterol and phospholipid levels, with an increased cholesterol:phospholipid ratio.
- RBC osmotic fragility and chromium survival were significantly depressed in malnourished children.
- These hematological parameters normalized with nutritional rehabilitation.
Conclusions:
- PCM leads to significant alterations in RBC membrane composition and function.
- Nutritional recovery effectively reverses these adverse changes in red blood cells.
Abstract:
Ten children with protein-calorie malnutrition (five with kwashiorkor, three with marasmus, and two with marasmic-kwashiorkor) were studied at hospital admission and during recovery for evidence of changes in red blood cell lipids, osmotic fragility, and chromium survival. On admission, the children had significantly higher-than-normal red blood cell membrane cholesterol and phospholipid, and an elevated cholesterol:phospholipid ratio. Both red blood cell osmotic fragility and red cell survivals were depressed. These measurements returned to normal limits with recovery.