Total body protein, collagen and non-collagen protein in infantile protein malnutrition

ABSTRACT

The absolute amounts of total protein, collagen and non-collagen protein were determined in the whole bodies of ten children, aged 6-16 months. Six children died of severe protein malnutrition and four were clinically well-nourished at the time of death. In the malnourished children there was severe depletion of total protein and non-collagen protein, while collagen protein was little affected. The results show that the amount of total protein is an unreliable guide to the extent of protein depletion and suggest that catabolism of collagen is greatly reduced in severe protein malnutrition.(AU)