Biochemical changes in saliva of malnourished children.

The protein concentration and activity of arginase enzymes in serum and saliva was estimated in a total of 94 children out of which 52 were suffering from protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) and 42 served as controls. The salivary ferritin was also estimated in 41 children (control eight and PEM 33). There was a progressive fall in serum and salivary arginase activity and levels of salivary protein and ferritin with severity of PEM. The salivary ferritin showed very significant fall even in PEM grade I. In PEM grade III the mean ferritin value was 3.28 +/- 0.75 micrograms/L as compared to 169.3 +/- 21.9 micrograms/L for normal children. The changes in salivary protein, arginase activity, and ferritin in PEM may be used in recognizing severity as well as early stage of the disease.