Chromosomal abnormalities in protein-calorie malnutrition.

Cytogenetic studies were carried out in five children suffering from moderate to severe protein calorie malnutrition and five healthy controls, using direct preparations of bone marrow using conventional techniques. In the control group there were two abnormalities out of 152 plates analyzed, and in the malnutrition group there were 16 out of 186. This difference is statistically significant, P less than 0.005, implying that chromosomal abnormalities are more frequent in protein calorie malnutrition.