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American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol 28, 1284-1288, Copyright © 1975 by The American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Inc

ORIGINAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS

Serotonin metabolism in children with kwashiorkor

M Teotia and SP Teotia

Intestinal fat absorption, serum 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and 24-hour urinary excretion of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were studied in 13 children with kwashiorkor and 10 matched healthy controls. Eight out of 13 children with kwashiorkor who had steatorrhea also showed raised plasma serotonin levels in parallel with the high urinary excretion of 5-HIAA. In five children with kwashiorkor who showed normal intestinal fat absorption, the serum 5-HT and urinary 5-HIAA levels were comparable to controls. After therapy, concurrent with clinical and biochemical recovery, the intestinal absorption of fat improved, serum 5-HT concentration and the urinary excretion of 5-HIAA returned to normal range. This suggested that the deranged serotonin metabolism in our cases was secondary to the protein-calorie deficiency. The presence of defective metabolism of serotonin (5-HT) in children with kwashiorkor has been reported and its possible role in the etiopathogenesis of steatorrhea-diarrhea, skin lesions and psychomotor changes has been suggested for further work.




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Copyright © 1975 by The American Society for Nutrition