Magnesium levels in serum and erythrocytes of children from Kerala.

ABSTRACT

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.