RESUMO
This study included 64 infants and children with different forms of protein - energy malnutrition [PEM. They were classified according to wellcome's classification into simple underweight, marasmus, Kwashiorkor and marasmic kwashiorkor goups together with 16 comparable healthy infants and children as a control group. Anthropometric measurements including: weight, length, head circumference, mid arm circumference, skin fold thickness, arm area muscle circumference, arm a, muscle area and fat area beside biochemical tests including: complete urine and stool analysis, complete blood picture, total serum protein, serum albumin, total serum cholesterol, serum triglycerides, high density lipoprotein - cholesterol, low density lipoprotein - cholesterol, apolipoprotein - A-I and apolipoprotein - B were done to all infants and children. The results showed that all anthropometric measurements were decreased in all forms of PEM but the decrease was more in marasmic group Also, the biochemical tests were decreased in PEM but more in kwashiorkor and marasmic kwashiorkor groups. Apo-A-I was the main biochemical test that decreased in simple underweight group. Apo B-was decreased in all PEM forms except simple underweight group and the decrease was markedly in kwashiorkor and marasmic kwashiorkor groups. Apo- A-I and B could be considered as good in-dicators of nutritional status especially apo-A-I which was proved to be of prime importance in the diagnosis of early cases of malnutrition