A STUDY ON ADENOSINE DEAMINASE ACTIVITY IN INFANTS WITH PROTEIN ENERGY MALNUTRITION

Abstract

P.E.M constitutes a major pediatric problem in most of the developing countries. In Egypt, PEM is quite common. It stands as a major threat to infant's health, growth and development. The present study comprised a total number of 65 infants. 45 infants (group A) with PEM were recruited from inpatient department of pediatric hospital, Ain Shams University. Diagnosis was based on Wellcome classification (the actual weight is less than 60% of the expected weight for age in the presence or absence of edema or less than 80% in the presence of edema). They are subdivided into 3 subgroups: Subgroup I (the marasmic infants): They did not have edema and their weight were less th60% of the expected weight for age. This group included 17 infants (8 males and 9 females) with their age ranging from 8 months to 16 months with a mean age of(l1.35 ± 2.21) months. Subgroup II (K.W.O infants): They had edema and their weight were 60% - 80% of the expected weight for age.