Vitamin a status in children with protein-energy malnutrition and Measles at Kenyatta National Hospital
Abstract
Serum levels of retinol, retinol-binding protein
and prealbumin were measured in 50 children with protein
energy malnutrition, 17 well-nourished children suffering from measles and 33 children with protein-energy
malnutrition suffering from measles.
compared with 37 controls.
These were
Protein-energy malnu~irtion and measles were found to depress retinol and prealbumin levels. There was no significant difference in mean retinol levels among
the study groups. Protein-energy malnutrition with measles combined were found to have a more depressing effect on serum prealbumin level than protein-
energy malnutrition alone. Measles on its own did
not have a marked lowering effect on preqlbumin. Only the combination of measles with protein-energy malnutrition were found to have a depressing effect on serum retinol-binding protein level.
In®unisation against measles and supplementation of v~tamin A in the management of children with
.protein-energy malnutrition and measles will prevent
xerophthalmia and therefore blindness.
Citation
Master Of Medicine (Paediatrics And Childhealth)Publisher
University Of Nairobi Department of Medicine