The haematological picture in kwashiorkor and marasmus
1960; Oxford University Press; Volume: 54; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1016/0035-9203(60)90210-8
ISSN1878-3503
Autores Tópico(s)Iron Metabolism and Disorders
ResumoA study of the peripheral blood and bone marrow picture of 18 consecutive cases of kwashiorkor and marasmus is described. There were three deaths in the series. A moderate degree of anaemia was present in all cases, and the average values for Hb., R.B.C. and P.C.V. were slightly lower in kwashiorkor than marasmus. The marrow was erythronormoblastic in both groups, giant stab cells were found in six cases, and in no case was the marrow megaloblastic. The myeloid/erythroid ratio was higher in marasmus than in kwashiorkor and diminished during recovery. The possible significance of this factor is discussed. No correlation was found between the serum vitamin B12 levels or the serum protein levels and the degree of anaemia. The present findings throw no fresh light on the aetiology of the anaemia found in malnourished children, but suggest that it is not primarily associated either with deficiency of protein or of vitamin B12. The possible role of infection merits further study.
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