Abstract
Summary
Sixty-four pre-school-age children from a poor urban population in Colombia were studied to determine the influence of moderate to severe malnutrition on several proteins in the serum and tears. Secretory IgA, lysozyme, and amylase were found in significantly reduced concentrations in the tears of malnourished children. No influence of nutritional status on total proteins, albumin, and aminopeptidase was observed in this secretion. In the serum, IgA concentrations were significantly higher in the most malnourished group, while total proteins and albumin were reduced. These data suggest that increased susceptibility to infections of mucosal surfaces in malnourished children may be due to reduced concentrations of protective substances such as IgA and lysozyme in secretions.
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