Effects of protein energy malnutrition and age on total leucocytic count

ABSTRACT

The effects of protein energy malnutrition [PEM] and age on the total leucocytic count [TLC] were studied in one hundred and twenty three primary school boys of different nutritional status. The subjects were selected after arranging the data of the whole population of the school according to Jeliffe's classification of malnutrition. Twenty one of the selected boys were of normal nutritional status [having over 90% of the standard weight for their age], while 87 of them were suffering from 3rd degree malnutrition [weight ranging from 61 to 70% of the standard weight for their age] and 15 had 4th degree malnutrition [below 60% of the standard weight for their age]. The mean total leucocytic count was 8850, 8968 and 9467/cmm in the normal, 3rd and 4th degree malnutrition groups respectively. Statistically, the effect of malnutrition on the total leucocytic count was non-significant. To see the effect of age on total leucocytic count the boys of the same nutritional status were studied. It was observed that the mean of total leucocytic count of 49 children, under 10 years of age was 9507/cmm, while that of 53 children in the age group above 10 years was 8314/cmm. A statistically significant decrease in total leucocytic count was observed in the age group above 10 years as compared with that of under 10 years