The measurement of muscle mass in children using [15N] creatinine

ABSTRACT

In eight infants and children who had recovered from protein-energy malnutrition (PEM), muscle mass was estimated by measuring creatine turnover by an isotope dilution technique using [15N] creatine, creatine concentration, and urinary creatinine output. Creatine turnover varied from 1.5 to 2.6 percent of the muscle creatine pool per day and muscle creatine concentration ranged from 1.7 to 3.9æg/æg muscle DNA. Muscle mass was between 15 percent and 37percent of total body weight. The results indicate that daily creatinine output is not reliable indicator of muscle mass in children who have recently recovered from severe PEM.(AU)