Sleep-wake cycle disturbances in protein-energy malnutrition: effect of nutritional rehabilitation

A standard sleep questionnaire was given to the parents of 26 infants with protein-energy malnutrition who underwent polysomnographic evaluation. These investigations were repeated approximately 2 months after enrolment in a nutritional rehabilitation programme based on World Health Organization guidelines. Anthropometric values and serum serotonin levels were also measured. After nutritional rehabilitation there was a significantly higher percentage of non-rapid eye movement [REM] sleep; 2nd REM time, and latency times for sleep and REM sleep increased. Percentages of REM sleep and serum serotonin levels decreased significantly. Protein-energy malnutrition seems to affect the sleep-wake cycle; disturbed serotonin levels may be among the factors responsible

Red cell profile in normal and sickle cell diseased children

The red cell distribution width index [RDW] and other cell indices [HCT, MCV, MCH] were determined in 171 normal infants and children, 37 patients with sickle cell disease [SCD] and 44 patients with sickle cell trait [SCT]. The red blood cell indices including RDW in normal children showed a significant difference between different age groups, while in different sex groups they did not differ significantly. SCD group showed a significant increase in RDW and a significant decrease in the hematocrit [HCT] value when compared either with the control or the SCT groups. Patients with SCD showed a significant increase in their RDW and a significant decrease in their hematocrit values during hemolytic crises as compared with those during vaso-occlusive crises. A positive linear correlation between RDW and the reticulocyte count in SCD and SCT patients was also found. In this context, it was concluded that RDW values do reflect the reticulocytes magnitude which would provide clinical and pathological information about SCD and its crises