Serum siderophilin in kwashiorkor

Abstract

Serum siderophilin levels were profoundly depressed in a series of 21 patients with kwashiorkor. The level correlates with independent grading of the severity of the disease. Siderophilin level was far more profoundly depressed than the total serum protein level. It correlated poorly with the packed cell volume. The defect was rapidly reversible by high protein diet. The possible usefulness of this simple test in diagnosis, in grading the severity of the disease, and in research on means of treatment is discussed.