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Haematogram and serum iron status of malnourished Nigerian children
G A Alemnji1, K D Thomas, M A Durosinmi
1Department of Chemical Pathology, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
Insights
Protein energy malnutrition (PEM) in children showed no significant improvement in weight or hematological parameters after 18 days. However, kwashiorkor patients exhibited significantly increased serum iron levels post-treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutrition Science
- Hematology
Background:
- Protein energy malnutrition (PEM) is a significant health concern in children.
- PEM encompasses various forms, including kwashiorkor, marasmus, and marasmic-kwashiorkor.
- Nutritional rehabilitation is crucial for improving outcomes in malnourished children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of a hospital diet on hematological parameters and serum iron in children with different types of PEM.
- To assess the effectiveness of an 18-day rehabilitation period on nutritional status and hematological markers.
Main Methods:
- Twenty children (1-5 years) with PEM (Kwashiorkor, Marasmus, Marasmic-Kwashiorkor, Undernourished) were studied.
- Hematological parameters, total serum iron, and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) were measured on admission and after 18 days.
- Children received different hospital diets based on their PEM type.
Main Results:
- No significant changes in weight-for-age or most hematological parameters were observed after 18 days of rehabilitation across all PEM types.
- Serum iron levels significantly increased in children with kwashiorkor post-rehabilitation (P < 0.05).
- Other PEM types did not show significant improvements in serum iron or hematological parameters.
Conclusions:
- Current hospital dietary management at OAUTHC may be insufficient for rapid and comprehensive rehabilitation of PEM children.
- Specific attention to diet and feeding protocols is needed to enhance recovery, particularly for kwashiorkor patients.
- Further research into optimized nutritional interventions is warranted to improve outcomes for all forms of childhood PEM.
Abstract:
Haematological parameters, total serum iron, and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) concentrations were estimated in twenty protein energy malnourished (PEM) children, five kwashiorkor (K), five marasmus (M), five marasmic-kwashiorkor (M-K), and five undernourished (U) aged between one and five years on admission and after 18 days hospitalisation at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex. The Hospital diet for K and M-K consisted of 8% protein and 802 calories per litre while that for M and U consisted of 30% protein and 1350 calories per litre. After the period of 18 days of rehabilitation there was no significant (p > 0.05) difference (Student's t-test) in the weight for age. None of the haematological parameters was significantly different after rehabilitation for all the four types of PEM. Of the four types only Kwashiorkor with mean serum iron values of 15.6 +/- 1.51 micrograms/100 ml and 21.17 +/- 0.33 micrograms/100 ml on admission and after rehabilitation respectively was significantly (P < 0.05) different. More attention by the OAUTHC authorities needs to be paid to the management, feeding and diet given to these children so that there will be a greater and more rapid improvement in their rehabilitation.