Abstract

Background: Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) is one of the most common nutritional problems of developing countries of the world and an important cause of childhood mortality and morbidity leading to permanent impairment of physical and mental growth.

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate and compare serum total protein, serum albumin and thyroid hormones in children with Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) and in healthy controls.

Materials and Methods: Serum total protein, serum albumin, and thyroid hormones were estimated in Fifty children (age, 1- 5 year) with PEM (PEM group). And an equal number of age, sex matched healthy controls were included for the control group.

Results: PEM children have low serum total protein and albumin levels as compared to healthy controls (p

Key words: Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM), Serum total protein, Serum albumin, Serum Total T3 and Serum Total T4