Serum proteins and plasma free amino acids in severe malnutrition

Abstract

Serum total proteins and albumin, and plasma free amino acids were determined in 41 severely malnourished infants and children, many of them with infection and diarrhea. A high correlation (r = 0.947) between total protein and albumin suggests that the first can be a reliable field tool. Amino acid levels, particularly the essential ones, as a group and individually, are significantly correlated with albumin, in great part the result of changes in hydration. Higher correlation coefficients for tryptophan (0.74) and branched chain amino acids (0.65) suggest a more specific role in determining serum albumin levels. Of those determined, the valine to glycine ratio had the highest correlation (0.57) with albumin. The exceptions suggested that these ratios might help us to recognize severe protein deficiency when dehydration had elevated serum proteins. Normal ratios in patients with hypoalbuminemia are suggestive of severe infection.