Objective: To determine serum zinc (Zn), total anti-oxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and albumin in protein energy malnutrition (PEM) and to analyse the appropriateness of using low weight-for-age for detecting childhood under-nutrition.
Methods: This study comprised 455 children (355 malnourished and 100 normal). They were classified according to the Nutrition Subcommittee of Indian Academy of Pediatrics, Z-Score Classification and Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure. Serum Zn, TAC, MDA, ALP and albumin levels were determined.
Results: The serum Zn, TAC, ALP and albumin levels were found to be significantly decreased and MDA levels were significantly increased in malnourished children as compared with control (P < 0.001).
Conclusion: The significant increase in serum MDA concentration associated with the decrease in serum TAC, Zn and ALP in malnourished children suggest that these children were potentially susceptible to high oxidative stress. Current study also suggest that conventional measures of detecting under-nutrition (low weight-for-age) may be missing out a considerable proportion of undernourished children present in the population.