Observations on diet, certain vital statistics and biochemistry in kwashiorkor cases treated in Salisbury

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Abstract
1. (1) A description of the diet of kwashiorkor patients before hospital admission is given. Whilst it proved impossible to obtain a quantitative assessment, the diet was obviously poor, and particularly lacking in protein. 2. (2) A number of relevant statistics are given as regards kwashiorkor patients received into Salisbury African Hospital. The figures include monthly admission rate, weights, mean age, mean age at weaning, and mean time between admission and onset of the disease. A big increase in admissions was noted in the “hungry months.” 3. (3) Investigations carried out on the proteins of blood serum are reported. Figures for total protein, albumin and α 1 , α 2 , β and γ globulins are tabulated for kwashiorkor patients over a period, normal controls and Europeans and African adults. The points particularly noted were as follows: 3.1. ( a ) Relatively rapid recovery of total protein, and α 2 and β globulins. 3.2. ( b ) Slow recovery of albumin. 3.3. ( c ) Increase of α 1 globulin above normal. 3.4. ( d ) No change in γ globulin.