Studies on the significance of hair root protein and DNA in protein-calorie malnutrition.

Hair root protein and DNA, serum nonessential amino acid/essential amino acid ratio, serum total protein, albumin, globulin and albumin/globulin ratio were estimated in children suffering from portein-calorie malnutrition (PCM) and the values compared to those obtained from healthy children. The data were presented in two ways: 1) classified as early malnutrition, marasmus, marasmic kwashiorkor, or kwasiorkor and the parameters compared 2) all the malnourished children were divided into four groups on the basis of percentage of body weight for age and the parameters compared. There was a progressive decrease in the content of hair root DNA and protein with the severity of PCM with these values decreasing to less than half of the normal values. In all types of PCM the serum albumin decreased significantly and the globulin increased while the total protein was altered only in the more severe stages. Differences in the serum consituents between groups were more pronounced when classified clinically than when grouped as percentage of normal body weight. Since hair root changes are progressive and of greater magnitude than those in the serum, hair root DNA and proteins might be useful chemical criteria in detectinc various stages of PCM, and further to help understand the pathogenesis of the condition.