The ratio of plasma non-essential to essential aminoacids in the detection of protein-calorie malnutrition in population groups [Rapport des acides aminés non-indispensables du plasma aux acides aminés indispensables et détection de la malnutrition calorico-axotée dans des groupes humains] [Das verhältnis nichtessentieller zu essentiellen aminosäuren im plasma zum nachweis einer protein-kalorien-unterernährung in bevölkerungsgruppen]

The non-essential to essential aminoacids’ ratio in plasma appears to be a very sensitive index of protein-calorie malnutrition in population groups. One group of 74 school children (7 years old) coming from a region where the marasmic form of protein-calorie malnutrition is highly prevalent, have a mean ratio of 1.21 (± 0.255), whereas 51 healthy children of the same age, coming from another region with much better nutrition, have a higher ratio (1.71 ± 0.263). The data suggest that the aminoacid ratio in plasma depends not only on the protein intake but also on the calorie intake. No correlation was observed between urea/creatininc ratio in urine and the aminoacid ratio, nor between serum albumin concentration and the aminoacid ratio in 61 malnourished children. © 1967 S. Karger AG, Basel