A STUDY OF THYROID HORMONE STATUS, SERUM TOTAL PROTEIN AND SERUM ALBUMIN LEVELS IN CHILDREN AGED 1 TO 5 YEARS WITH PROTEIN ENERGY MALNUTRITION

Dr. Keerthi B.*, Dr. V. Sai Amarnath and Dr. Pranam G. M.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) is one of the most common nutritional problem of developing countries of the world and an important cause of childhood mortality and morbidity leading to permanent impairment of physical and mental growth. Hence, an attempt has been made to study the concentration of serum thyroid hormone levels in PEM children and its correlation with serum total protein and albumin levels. Objectives: To assess thyroid hormone (T3, T4 and TSH), serum total protein and serum albumin levels, to correlate the levels with anthropometric parameters and find correlation between T3, T4, TSH and serum total protein and albumin. Materials and Methods: The present study was a hospital based case control study, consisted of 162 children aged 1-5 years having PEM as per WHO Classification of PEM (weight for height) evaluated at Department of Paediatrics, NMCH & RC, Raichur during the term January 2021 to July 2022 equally divided into case and controls group. Results: Majority of the children in all grades of PEM were males. Among cases majority belonged to Grade II PEM (29.6%). Prevalence of vitamin deficiency was significantly higher in cases as compared to controls and the difference was statistically significant. Mean serum total protein, albumin levels and A/G ratio is significantly lower in cases compared to controls. The mean T3 and T4 levels are significantly lower in cases as compared to controls. Mean TSH level was similar in both cases and controls. T3, T4 levels showed a significant positive correlation with hemoglobin, serum total protein and albumin levels. TSH levels had no correlation with hemoglobin, serum total protein and albumin levels. Conclusion: PEM was positively correlated with serum total protein and albumin levels. Degree of reduction in T3, T4 levels is related to severity of malnutrition, with highest reduction been noticed in Grade IV PEM. The T3, T4 levels of cases had a significant positive correlation with hemoglobin, serum total protein, albumin levels and A/G ratio. TSH levels had no correlation with these parameters.

Keywords: Protein Energy Malnutrition; Thyroid hormone levels; Serum total protein; Albumin levels; malnourished; T3; T4; TSH.