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Plasma renin activity in children with protein energy malnutrition (Kwashiorkor)


Erna E. Kritzinger
E. Kanengoni
J.J. Jones

Abstract

Plasma renin activity was measured by bio-assay in 100 children with kwashiorkor and in 20 healthy children, and also by radio-immunoassay in another 26 children with kwashiorkor and in another 20 healthy children. Both methods showed that (compared with healthy children) renin activity was significantly increased in children with kwashiorkor; and also that the activity was significantly higher in the patients who subsequently died in hospital, than in those who survived. Increased renin activity probably contributes to the retention of water characteristic of protein energy malnutrition.

S. Afr. Med. J., 48, 499 (1974).

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eISSN: 2078-5135
print ISSN: 0256-9574