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Prostaglandin E<sub>2</sub> is raised in kwashiorkor
Abstract
Objective. Infection is a common occurrence in children with kwashiorkor. It has been suggested that infection in kwashiorkor results from immune depression, and that the immune depression of kwashiorkor is caused by a dietassociated elevation of prostaglandin E2 (PGEZ). The purpose of this study was to determine whether levels of PGEZ are abnormal in children with kwashiorkor.
Setting and subjects. Plasma PGEZ and plasma proteins were measured in children admitted with oedematous kwashiorkor, and compared with PGEZ in children with cerebral palsy.
Results. Plasma PGEZ was higher in children with kwashiorkor than in control children (7.25 ± 3.5 v. 3.51 ± 1.59, P < 0.01). Within the kwashiorkor study group there was a significant negative correlation between log-transformed serum PGEZ and total plasma protein (r = - 0.59, P < 0.00l), plasma albumin (r =- 0.63, P < 0.001), weight-for-age (r =0.37, P < 0.05), and height-for-age (r = - 0.37, P < 0.05). The difference in mean values of PGEZ in children with kwashiorkor who recovered from the illness and those who died was not significant (7.1 ± 2.6 v. 9.1 ± 4.8, P = 0.36).
Conclusion. Significantly higher PGEZ levels in children with kwashiorkor provide adequate reason for the depression of immune function known to occur in these children. Elevated PGEZ levels may also be implicated in other components of the illness.
