Endocrine function in malnourished children admitted at Kenyatta. National hospital.

Abstract

59 children admitted with various degrees of protein energy malnutrition pnd 25 controls who were matched for age and sex were examinedft Serum growth hormone cortisol and insulin levels were assayed by radioimmunoassay. Significant elevation of growth hormone and cortisol were observed in the malnourished patients as compared

to the normal controls. Significant reduction in insulin levels were also observed in the patients. These changes suggest an endocrinal adaptation in malnourished children for maintainance of various physiological

functions.