Serum analyte levels in children: relationship with malnutrition

Malnutrition is the cellular imbalancing among the supply of energy and nutrients which are essential for maintenance, growth and particular functions. It becomes a major cause of mortality of children less than five years of age. The aim of present study to evaluate the serum analytes such as electrolyte (sodium (Na+), potassium (K+) and calcium (Ca+)), creatinine and blood components in malnourished than healthy children. We had collected the data of 300 malnourished children (100 marasmus, 100 kwashiorkorand, 100 healthy children) with age 6-36 months from Children complex Hospital Multan, Pakistan. Data was analyzed by Paired sample t-test by SPSS software. Then socio-demographic data of their mothers was also collected. The result showed that level of Na+ and creatinine was high whereas, the levels of K+ and Ca+ were lower in both Marasmus and Kwashiorkor than control subjects. The levels of leukocytes, platelets and hemoglobin (Hb) were decreased in both diseases. Erythrocytes (RBCs) level was decreased in Marasmus while increased in Kwashiorkor. It is concluded that inadequate feeding practices, birth order, poverty, illiterate mothers, low nutritional quality of meals responsible for malnutrition. Feasible strategies are needed to address the dietary inadequacies and chronic malnutrition of rural infants.