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Biochemical changes in saliva of malnourished children

P K Agarwal, K N Agarwal, D K Agarwal

    The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
    |February 1, 1984
    PubMed

    Insights

    Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) in children significantly lowers serum and salivary arginase activity, protein, and ferritin levels. These salivary biomarkers can help detect early and severe stages of PEM.

    Area of Science:

    • Biochemistry
    • Pediatric Nutrition
    • Clinical Diagnostics

    Background:

    • Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) is a significant global health issue in children.
    • Biochemical markers are crucial for diagnosing and assessing the severity of nutritional deficiencies.
    • Arginase, protein, and ferritin levels may be affected by nutritional status.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the relationship between protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) and the levels of serum and salivary arginase activity, salivary protein, and salivary ferritin in children.
    • To evaluate the potential of these biomarkers in identifying the severity and early stages of PEM.

    Main Methods:

    • Serum and salivary arginase activity, salivary protein, and salivary ferritin were measured in 52 children with PEM and 42 healthy controls.
    • Statistical analysis was performed to compare biomarker levels between groups and correlate them with PEM severity.

    Main Results:

    • A progressive decline in serum and salivary arginase activity, salivary protein, and salivary ferritin was observed with increasing severity of PEM.
    • Salivary ferritin levels showed a significant decrease even in Grade I PEM.
    • Mean salivary ferritin in Grade III PEM was markedly lower (3.28 µg/L) compared to controls (169.3 µg/L).

    Conclusions:

    • Changes in salivary protein, arginase activity, and ferritin are strongly associated with PEM severity in children.
    • These salivary biomarkers show promise for early detection and assessment of PEM severity.
    • Further research could validate these findings for clinical application in diagnosing childhood malnutrition.

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