Assignment of PCR markers to river buffalo chromosomes

International audienc

Plasma Ghrelin in Marasmic Infants

Abstract: Objectives: Malnutrition is one of leading health problems in developing countries. Ghrelin, a recently discovered peptide hormone, has been proven to influence appetite and body weight in adults. This work aims to measure plasma ghrelin level in infants suffering from marasmus and to assess its relation with some metabolic and anthropometric measures. Design and M ethods: The study included 26 marasmic infants (age ranged from 4-24 months), who's hospital admission was mainly due to chest infection or gastroenteritis. Twenty-seven age and sex matched healthy infants served as a control group. Anthropometric measurements including weight, length, head circumference and body mass index were recorded. Complete blood picture, random blood glucose and plasma insulin were measured. Total plasma ghrelin was determined using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent assay. Results: Results revealed that the anthropometric measures were significantly lower in marasmic infants. Anemia and leukocytosis were significantly more common in marasmic group. The plasma ghrelin was significantly higher in marasmic infants, while insulin and blood glucose were significantly lower when compared to the control group. Plasma ghrelin correlated positively with the total leukocyte count and negatively with hemoglobin percent and sex in marasmic infants. It did not show any correlation with any of the recorded anthropometric measurements. Conclusion: W e postulated that ghrelin release in marasmic infants can be attributed to negative energy balance caused by low insulin and blood glucose