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Acute phase proteins in children with protein-calorie malnutrition
Insights
Children with protein-calorie malnutrition exhibit altered acute phase protein levels. C-reactive protein and haptoglobin may indicate infection in malnourished children during treatment.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Immunology
Background:
- Protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM) significantly impacts immune function and nutritional status in children.
- Acute phase proteins (APPs) are crucial biomarkers reflecting inflammation and infection.
- Understanding APP dynamics in PCM is vital for diagnosis and monitoring treatment efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the serum concentrations of specific acute phase proteins in children with PCM compared to healthy controls.
- To evaluate the changes in these APP levels during nutritional rehabilitation and antibiotic treatment.
- To assess the potential of certain APPs as indicators of infection in malnourished children.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples were collected from children with PCM and age-matched controls.
- Concentrations of C-reactive protein, caeruloplasmin, haptoglobin, alpha1 antitrypsin, alpha2 macroglobulin, transferrin, and complement component C3 were measured.
- Measurements were repeated during rehabilitation and antibiotic therapy.
Main Results:
- Children with PCM showed significantly higher levels of C-reactive protein, caeruloplasmin, and haptoglobin, and lower levels of alpha1 antitrypsin, alpha2 macroglobulin, transferrin, and C3 compared to controls.
- Treatment led to the disappearance of C-reactive protein in most patients, normalization of caeruloplasmin and haptoglobin, and significant increases in alpha1 antitrypsin, alpha2 macroglobulin, transferrin, and C3.
- These findings suggest a dynamic response of APPs to nutritional status and infection.
Conclusions:
- Serum concentrations of acute phase proteins are significantly altered in children with protein-calorie malnutrition.
- C-reactive protein and haptoglobin levels normalize with treatment, indicating their utility in monitoring recovery.
- C-reactive protein and haptoglobin may serve as valuable indicators for detecting infection in malnourished children.
Abstract:
The serum concentrations of the acute phase proteins, C-reactive protein, caeruloplasmin and haptoglobin were significantly higher in children with protein-calorie malnutrition than in age-matched controls, while the concentrations of alpha1 antitrypsin, alpha2 macroglobulin, transferrin and complement component C3 were significantly lower. During rehabilitation and treatment with antibiotics, C-reactive protein disappeared from the serum in most of the patients whilst the levels of caeruloplasmin and haptoglobin returned to normal values. On the other hand the serum concentration of alpha1 antitrypsin, alpha2 macroglobulin, transferrin and C3 showed significant increases. It is suggested that C-reactive protein and haptoglobin may provide useful indices of the presence or absence of infection in children with malnutrition.