[Biologic profile in tunisian infants [0 - 2 years] malnourished]

ABSTRACT

The malnutrition of the infants could be explained by a delay of the growth and the perturbation of biological parameters. To establish the nutritional profile of the Tunisian infant of less than two years. To specify the principal deficiencies and the possible origins of these deficiencies. In our transverse exploratory study, carried out in period of 9 month. This study was conducted in two groups of Tunisian young children less than two years old a control group and a malnourished group [Z score >/= -2SD]. Our data consolidate the important impact of pregnant women nutritional state and of breastfeeding on the foetus ant infant growth.Compared to control infants, the malnourished young showed a significant alteration of different biologic parameters. This alteration appeared positively linked to the gravity of malnutrition as indicated by the positive relation obtained between the weight/height ratio and many studied parameters. The malnourished infants showed, notably, a significant reduction of the average values of Chol-HDL, apo AI, Vit E, TSH and TF4 levels and Chol-HDL/Chol LDL ratio. Chol-HDL, apo AI and HDL/Chol-LDL are found positively and significantly correlated with TF4. So, their reduction in ill children would be, at least in part, a side effect of the thyroid function reduction. Our results confirm the existence of an important change of biological profile in malnourished young children. Besides, they emphasize that studies about young children could be helpful, notably, in the prevention and the fight against atherosclerosis