ABSTRACT
Objective: PEM is a significant nutritional disorder in India. The aim of this study was to assess the severity of the disorder and make a quick nutritional assessment in the patients using serum albumin, total cholesterol and lymphocyte count as the laboratory parameters. The study also aimed at correlating these biochemical parameters with physical parameters. Materials and Methods: 42 clinically undernourished children in the age group of 2-5yrs were enrolled for the study. Their age and body weight were noted and the subjects were accordingly grouped under Grade 1, 2 or 3 malnutrition as per Gomez’ classification. Serum Albumin, total lymphocyte count and total cholesterol values of these cases were noted. Depending on the values obtained, the subjects were grouped into 3 categories – mild, moderate and severe malnutrition. Physicalparameters were correlated with the biochemical parameters. Results: Pearson’s correlation test results showed a significant positive correlation between Grade 1&mild malnutrition; Grade 2&moderate malnutrition; and Grade III & severe malnutrition. Conclusion: We conclude that serum albumin, cholesterol and total lymphocyte count correlate significantly with physical parameters. They are reliable parameters that can be used not only to assess severity of undernutrition but they also provide more informationabout the nutritional status such as protein and lipid reserves in the body and immune status of the individual.