Plasma transport proteins in rehabilitated protein-energy malnourished children in Nigeria.

Blood levels of prealbumin, retinol-binding protein, ceruloplasmin and transferrin were monitored during the rehabilitation of thirty protein-energy malnourished children. The children aged between six and fifty-four months were rehabilitated on an out-patient basis and fed locally prepared good quality food while the mothers were given nutrition education coupled with health education. The initial mean anthropometric values and plasma transport protein levels were significantly lower in these children when compared with values obtained from 10 apparently healthy children presenting with no signs or symptoms suggestive of any form of malnutrition. At the end of the rehabilitation period, there was no significant difference in plasma transport protein levels between the previously malnourished children and the normal controls although the malnourished children still demonstrated significant weight deficit.