AIM

This study was undertaken to assess the nutritional status of 6-10 years old Nepalese children by measuring some haematological and biochemical parameters.

METHODS

Nutritional status was assessed by height-for-age z-score. Total count of red blood corpuscles (TC of RBC), packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration were measured. Biochemical parameters such as serum iron, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), serum ferritin, serum transferrin, transferrin saturation (TS) and serum albumin were also measured. Serum folate and vitamin B(12) were measured in well-nourished and undernourished children.

RESULTS

TC of RBC, serum iron, serum ferritin, TS and serum albumin of stunted children were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that of well-nourished children. MCV, MCH, TIBC and serum transferrin of stunted children were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of well-nourished children. Serum folate and vitamin B(12) values of stunted children were significantly lower (p < 0.001) than that of well-nourished children.

CONCLUSION

A mild iron deficiency was found in stunted Nepalese children. The serum ferritin has been identified as a sensitive marker for measurement of iron status in surveyed children. A deficiency of serum protein, serum folate and vitamin B(12) was also found in the undernourished Nepalese children.