Serum aminotransferases and gamma-glutamyl transferase in protein energy malnutrition.

Forty six children suffering from Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) were classified according to the Wellcome classification. Their aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyl transferase were measured. Aspartate aminotransferase was raised in 20 patients (43.5%) and alanine aminotransferase was raised in 12 patients (26%). Y-glutamyl transferase was raised in only one patient suffering from marasmic kwashiorkor, who, in contrast to the rest of the patients had a marked rise in aminotransferases. The aminotransferase elevation correlated positively with a Severity Index calculated from height and weight retardation and serum albumin levels. It is suggested that the moderate rise in aminotransferases found in PEM is not due to damage to the liver. However, marked enzyme elevations can occur in a small minority of patients, suggestive of liver injury, probably caused by hepatotoxins.

Serum cholesterol and triglycerides in childhood nephrotic syndrome in northern Nigeria. A preliminary report.

Serum total cholesterol and triglycerides were measured in 18 nephrotic and 14 control children. The values of the two lipids were significantly elevated in nephrotic children. The control values also were elevated when compared with normal values in Nigerian adults. There was a positive linear correlation between serum total cholesterol and triglycerides, so that one of them could be used for follow-up of patients. Hyperlipidaemia constitutes an additional factor in the poor prognosis of Nigerian children with nephrotic syndrome. Longitudinal studies of serum lipids in nephrotic children are advocated.

Changes in electrolytes, urea and creatinine excretion during dry and wet seasons.

Twenty-four-hour urine samples were collected from 179 male and female medical students in Ibadan, and 112 medical students in Zaria. The values for 24-h urine volume, urinary electrolytes, urea and creatinine exhibited a skewed distribution and were normalized by logarithmic transformation. The geometric means values for the 24-h urine volume for the dry season were significantly less than those for the wet season in Ibadan and Zaria. The mean urinary electrolytes, urea, and creatinine levels were significantly less during the dry season than during the wet season at Ibadan. In the Zaria subjects the changes in these urinary constituents during the dry and wet seasons were the reverse of those at Ibadan. These results could explain the absence of significant seasonal changes in urinary specific gravity and the low occurrence of urinary calculi in the southern part of Nigeria.