The level of serum osteocalcin as well as calcium,
phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase was
studied in 45 cases of PEM during nutritional rehabilitation
as well as 30 matching controls. The
infants aged between 4-24 months and were selected
from the Nutrition Clinic at the Pediatrics Department
of Benha University Hospitals. Levels of
serum osteocalcin were within the normal range in
the studied groups (3.1 + 0.8 ng/ml for controls),
(3.2 + 1.7 ng/ml for marasmus) and (5.3 + 1.8
ng/ml for KWO), and were not affected by either
age or sex. Serum osteocalcin was significantly
higher in KVVO but not in marasmus during nutritional
rehabilitation. It correlated negatively
with both ALP and calcium in both groups of
malnourished infants. Meanwhile, it correlated
positively with levels of serum phosphorus. Our
findings indicate that serum osteocalcin is a sensitive
indicator of new bone formation during nutritional
rehabilitation in cases of PEM and that new
bone formation and catch up growth are earlier and
better established in cases of KVVO as compared to
cases of marasmus. |
