Magnesium levels in serum and erythrocytes of children from Kerala.

BACKGROUND. Magnesium is required in higher quantities, during the phase of rapid growth, in children. Its level in the ground water in Kerala is low. This can cause magnesium deficiency especially in children from the lower socio-economic groups who also suffer from nutritional insufficiency. METHODS. We compared the serum and erythrocyte magnesium levels of school children from high and low (agricultural labourers and fisherfolk) socio-economic groups. These levels were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Body mass indices and haemoglobin levels were used as indirect measures of nutritional status. RESULTS. Serum and erythrocyte magnesium levels were significantly lower in both boys and girls from low socio-economic groups who also had lower body mass indices. CONCLUSION. Nutritional insufficiency is prevalent in children from the low socio-economic groups and is associated with low serum and erythrocyte magnesium levels.

Nutritional status of children in Kerala.

Nutritional status of children in two poor communities was studied using conventional anthropometric techniques. A total of 944 children, of which 246 boys and 242 girls in coastal area and 213 boys and 249 girls in the non-coastal area formed the study group. With measurements of height and weight, the prevalence of various forms of growth retardation was determined in two communities. Inspite of better food intake, the rural coastal children exhibited poorer nutritional status mainly because of environmental deprivation.