ASSESSMENT OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOME TRACE ELEMENTS AND ANTIOXIDANT ENZYMES IN UNDER-FIVE CHILDREN WITH PROTEIN- ENERGY MALNUTRITION

ASSESSMENT OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOME TRACE ELEMENTS AND ANTIOXIDANT ENZYMES IN UNDER-FIVE CHILDREN WITH PROTEIN- ENERGY MALNUTRITION

ABSTRACT

The association between certain trace elements and antioxidant enzymes was investigated in 98 under-five children with protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) and 98 age- and gender-matched seemingly healthy children (control). Malnourished children include those with Marasmus, Kwashiorkor, and Marasmic-kwashiorkor. Venous blood (2ml) was obtained from both PEM and control children and analysed biochemically using conventional procedures. Malnourished children had significantly reduced mean serum total protein (55.76±3.95) and albumin (26.43±2.78) levels, as well as superoxide dismutase (1.87±0.32) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) (42.38±5.03) activity.

Chapter one

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background Of the Study

Severe malnutrition is widespread in poor nations, both rural and urban (Psaki et al., 2012). According to Park et al. (2012), it accounts for approximately half of the 7.6 million child fatalities in developing nations each year. Poorly fed children can become unwell for up to 160 days each year.

Malnutrition exacerbates the consequences of all illnesses, including measles and malaria. Malnutrition is thought to be the underlying cause of diarrhoea (61%), malaria (57%), pneumonia (52%), and measles (45%) mortality.

Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) is one of the most common and severe kinds of malnutrition in the world (Whitney and Rolfes, 2008).