Von Willebrand factor: a biomarker of endothelial cell damage in dehydrated and malnourished children

ABSTRACT

The level of von Willebrand factor [vWF] as a marker of endothelial cell injury was evaluated in 73 children with age ranged from 3 to 30 months. Twenty-three cases suffered from dehydration, nineteen from marasmus, twelve from Kwashiorkor [KWO] and nineteen healthy children were included as controls. In both dehydrated and malnourished groups, the level of vWF was highly significantly elevated than the control group. A strong negative correlation was found between vWF and each of hemoglobin level, hematocrit, red blood cell count as well as several anthropometric Z scores [HAZ, WAZ and BMI]. The prothrombin concentration also correlated significantly and negatively with vWF level. In the dehydration group, vWF level correlated strongly and positively with the score of clinical severity. This work demonstrated that the integrity of the endothelium is likely to be affected in dehydration and malnutrition where pathologic unfavorable conditions are likely to exist. The measurement of vWF levels in such conditions proved to be benefit in accurate assessment as well as prognosis