Comparison of plasma calcium, albumin, and total cholesterol in severely malnourished vs. healthy children in Bangladesh: a case-control study

Arup Ratan Paul; A. S. M. Shahidullah; Bina Sen; Manisha Paul Tumpa; Shahnur Farzana; Nayem Sultana Suny

doi:10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20243687

Authors

Arup Ratan Paul Department of Biochemistry, Community Based Medical College Bangladesh, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
A. S. M. Shahidullah Department of Biochemistry, Community Based Medical College Bangladesh, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
Bina Sen Department of Biochemistry, Community Based Medical College Bangladesh, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
Manisha Paul Tumpa Department of Pharmacology, Community Based Medical College Bangladesh, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
Shahnur Farzana Department of Pharmacology, Community Based Medical College Bangladesh, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
Nayem Sultana Suny Department of Pharmacology, Community Based Medical College Bangladesh, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20243687

Keywords:

Children, Malnutrition, Plasma calcium, Serum albumin, Total cholesterol

Abstract

Background: Malnutrition poses a significant threat to the health and development of children in developing countries. The purpose of the study was to compare plasma calcium, albumin, and total cholesterol levels between severely malnourished and healthy children in Bangladesh. The aim of the study was to compare plasma calcium, albumin, and total cholesterol levels between severely malnourished and healthy children in Bangladesh.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 120 subjects, consisting of 60 severely malnourished children aged 18 months to 5 years in Group I (Case) and 60 healthy children in Group II (Control), conducted at Mymensingh Medical College & Community Based Medical College Bangladesh from July 2008 to June 2009. Serum calcium, albumin, and total cholesterol levels were measured and analyzed using SPSS version 22.0, applying descriptive statistics and Student’s unpaired t-test for group comparisons.

Results: In this study, Group I (severely malnourished children) had a significantly lower mean weight (10.70±2.20 kg) compared to Group II (healthy children) at 14.30±2.30 kg (p<0.001). Group I also exhibited significantly lower serum calcium (7.3±1.5 mg/dl vs. 8.6±0.55 mg/dl; p<0.001), albumin (3.1±0.32 g/dl vs. 4.5±0.22 g/dl; p<0.001), and cholesterol levels (117.0±17.0 mg/dl vs. 127.0±17.6 mg/dl; p = 0.004).

Conclusions: The study found significantly lower levels of plasma calcium, albumin, and total cholesterol in severely malnourished children compared to healthy controls, indicating critical nutritional deficiencies that require targeted interventions.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

References

Neumann C, Harris DM, Rogers LM. Contribution of animal source foods in improving diet quality and function in children in the developing world. Nutr Res. 2002;22(1-2):193-220.

Paul AR, Mia MA, Ansary NB, Tumpa MP, Rahman MM, Biswas SK. Serum potassium and calcium level in malnourished children of Bangladesh. Commu Based Med J. 2017;6(1):12-6.

Mayangsari R, Rasmiati K. Effect of supplementation of f100 biscuits modified with Moringa Oleifera flour substitution on nutritional status of under-five children with malnutrition in Kendari city Indonesia. Publ Health Indones. 2020;6(1):28-34.

World Health Organization. Fact sheets: malnutrition, 2020. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/malnutrition. Accessed 01 September 2024.

Christian P, Smith ER. Adolescent undernutrition: Global burden, physiology, and nutritional risks. Ann Nutr Metab. 2018;72(4):316-28.

Schaible UE, Kaufmann SHE. Malnutrition and infection: complex mechanisms and global impacts. PLoS Med. 2007;4(5).

Gupta SS, Gupta PS. Serum albumin and total protein level as plausible marker for diagnosis of protein energy malnutrition in children under age 5 years. Int J Contemp Pediatr. 2020;7(8):1758.

Greenbaum LA. Micronutrient Mineral Deficiencies. In: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. Elsevier; 2011:211-211.e3.

Spiekerman AM. Nutritional assessment (protein nutriture). Anal Chem. 1995;67(12):429R-436R.

Mishra SK, Bastola SP, Jha B. Biochemical nutritional indicators in children with protein energy malnutrition attending Kanti Children Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal. Kathmandu Univ Med J (KUMJ). 1970;7(2):129-34.

Oladibu O, Kofoworade O, Ojedokun S, Oloyede T, Alatishe T, Salawu A. Prevalence of albumin/total protein deficiency and micronutrients correlates in apparently healthy children in southwest Nigeria. J Adv Med Med Res. 2022;34(21):139-48.

Hesham MS, Edariah AB, Norhayati M. Intestinal parasitic infections and micronutrient deficiency: a review. Med J Malaysia. 2004;59(2):284-93.

Abdullahi S, Yakubu A, Bugaje M, Akuyam S. Serum total protein and albumin levels among malnourished children aged 6-59 months in Zaria. Nig J Paediatr. 2018;45(1):15-8.

Rahman MA, Mannan MA, Rahman MH. Serum iron and total iron binding capacity in severely malnourished children. Bangladesh J Pharmacol. 2007;2(2):61-5.

Chowdhury MS, Akhter N, Haque M, Aziz R, Nahar N. Serum total protein and albumin levels in different grades of protein energy malnutrition. J Bangl Soci Physiol. 2008;3:58-60.

Frenk S, Pérez-Ortíz B, Murguía T, Fajardo J, Velasco R, Sanabria T. Serum-ionized calcium in Mexican protein-energy malnourished children. Arch Medi Res. 2000;31(5):497-9.

Kalra K, Mital VP, pal R, Goyal RK, Dayal RS. Serum electrolyte studies in malnutrition. Ind Paediatr. 1975;9(2):1135-9.

Kumer V, Chandrasckharan R, Belavalgidad M. Blood biochemical tests in the diagnosis of malnutrition. Ind pediatr. 1975;12(10):955-60.

Osifo BO, Bolodeoku JO. Serum aspartate and alanine aminotransferase activities in protein energy malnutrition. Enzyme. 1982;28(4):300-4.

Iputo JE. Protein-losing enteropathy in Transkeian children with morbid protein-energy malnutrition. South Afr Med J. 1993;83(8):588-9.

Reeds PJ, Laditan AA. Serum albumin and transferrin in protein-energy malnutrition: Their use in the assessment of marginal undernutrition and the prognosis of severe undernutrition. Brit J Nutrit. 1976;36(2):255-63.

Mishra SK, Bastola SP, Jha B. Biochemical nutritional indicators in children with protein energy malnutrition attending Kanti Children Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal. Kathmandu Univer Medi J. 2009;7(2):129-34.

Said A, El-Hawary MF, Sakr R, Abdel-Khalek MK, El-Shobaki FA, Fleita DN. Protein calorie malnutrition (PCM) in Egypt: comparative study of the electrolyte pattern in plasma and erythrocytes. Gazett Egypt Paediatr Associat. 1977;26(1):51-5.

Frenk S, Luna-Del Villar J, Burgos G, Mariscal J. Diffusible blood calcium in children with advanced protein energy malnutrition. Arch Investig Medica. 197;7(2):77-84.

Nakamoto T, Miller SA. The effect of protein-energy malnutrition on the development of bones in newborn rats. J Nutrit. 1979;109(8):1469-76.

Rao A, Annie C. Renal tubular function in protein energy malnutrition. Ind J Pediatr. 1990;57:405-9.