Serum magnesium levels in protein-energy malnutrition.

Serum magnesium levels were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in 46 malnourished and 12 healthy children, aged 3 months to 5 years. The nutritional status of children was classified in relation to weight for age and height for age using the Indian Academy of Pediatrics and the Waterlow classifications, respectively. NCHS data were used for the purposes of comparison. Serum magnesium levels were significantly low in children with moderate (weight for age 61-70 per cent) and severe (weight < or = 60 per cent) malnutrition, and in children with marked linear growth retardation (height for age < 85 per cent). Nearly half of the marasmic children had serum magnesium levels in the hypomagnesemic range (below 1.56 mg/dl). Serum magnesium levels had significant correlations with height for age and serum albumin.

Serum, zinc and copper levels in children with protein energy malnutrition.

Serum zinc and copper were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in 58 children (3 months-5 years); of these, 46 children had protein energy malnutrition (PEM), and 12 children served as controls. The levels of serum zinc and copper were found to be significantly low in children with severe malnutrition (grades III and IV PEM). There was a significant positive correlation between serum zinc and height-for-age (r = 0.8809, p < 0.001). Serum copper was found low only in children exhibiting marked linear growth retardation (height-for-age < 85% of the normal). Hypoalbuminemia (serum albumin < 2.5 g/dl), and anemia (hemoglobin < or = 8.0 g/dl) in malnourished children were associated with significant decline in serum zinc and copper levels, respectively.

Biochemical abnormalities in neonatal seizures.

Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of biochemical abnormalities accompanying neonatal seizures is important for effective seizure control and to avoid further brain damage. The present study was carried out on 35 neonates to determine the frequency of various biochemical abnormalities in neonatal seizures. Diagnostic evaluation included estimation of levels of serum calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, zinc, and blood glucose. Two-thirds of the neonates with seizures had biochemical disturbances in their sera. A variety of abnormalities occurred in asphyxiated infants, including hyponatremia, hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, and hypomagnesemia. Primary metabolic disorders accounted for one-forth of the cases of neonatal seizures, the most common being hypoglycemia, hypoglycemia/hypocalcemia, and hypocalcemia/hyperphosphatemia. Inappropriate intrauterine growth, inadequate feeding, and feeding with cow's milk were the main risk factors for primary metabolic seizures. Hyponatremia was a frequent finding in seizures resulting from brain damage like birth asphyxia, meningitis, and intracranial hemorrhage. No infant had hypernatremia, hyperkalemia, hypokalemia, or low serum zinc.

A correlative study of serum zinc and in vivo cell mediated immune status in rheumatic heart disease.

This study was conducted to determine the zinc status and assess relationship between serum zinc and in vivo cell mediated immunity (CMI) in patients with rheumatic heart disease (RHD). The study comprised 22 patients with active rheumatic heart disease (ARHD), 15 patients with chronic rheumatic heart disease without activity (CRHD) (selection based on Jone's Criteria--Revised), and 15 age and sex matched healthy control. Zinc estimation was done by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. To assess CMI in vivo, phytohaemagglutinin skin test and skin window test were done. Serum zinc and in vivo CMI in patients with ARHD and CRHD compared with controls. Mean serum zinc was significantly decreased in patients with ARHD and CRHD, more pronounced in the former (P less than 0.001); and mean 24 h urinary zinc was significantly increased in patients with ARHD (P less than 0.001) as compared to controls. A significant depression in CMI in vivo was observed in patients with ARHD and CRHD (P less than 0.001). A significant positive correlation was seen among serum zinc and markers of in vivo CMI (P less than 0.001). In conclusion, depletion of zinc, observed in RHD, probably causes immune alterations and suggest role of zinc in immunopathogenesis of RHD. Zinc supplementation may alter the course of rheumatic fever and RHD.

Serum and urinary copper in acute hepatic encephalopathy.

Serum and 24 hours' urinary copper levels were studied in 71 patients with acute viral hepatitis including 35 with encephalopathy. Thirty age and sex matched healthy controls were also studied. Copper estimation was done by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Serum and 24 hours' urinary copper levels (164.85 +/- 29.31 micrograms/dl and 123.54 +/- 7.87 micrograms/24 h respectively) were significantly (P less than 0.001) increased in acute viral hepatitis patients. There was no significant difference in levels between patients with and without encephalopathy.