Influence of Ultra-violet radiations on basal metabolism in children.

Abstract

When malnourished children are exposed to ultra-violet radiations, there is often an improvement in their appetite and a gain in weight. The cause for this phenomena has not been satisfactorily explained. Until recently the impression has been that there is a concomitant rise in the basal metabolism. Otto Kestner 1 and his co-workers have demonstrated that there is an immediate rise in the basal metabolism, which, as far as they investigated, remains elevated for only a short time. Therefore the present work was undertaken to ascertain whether this rise in the basal metabolism extended over a long period of time, and whether it bore any relation to the clinical results.

The investigation was carried on from the beginning of December to the end of March, a period when the intensity of the ultra-violet rays from the sun is not sufficiently strong to influence results. Three children on the Pediatric Service of the Mount Sinai Hospital were studied. Two were free from all organic defects, while the third had a simple goitre. To obtain comparative figures these children were observed in the hospital for a control period of one month. They were on a fixed calculated diet, and their basal metabolism was determined three times each week. The children were then subjected to ultra-violet radiations from a Hanovian Quartz Mercury lamp. The routine and diet were continued as before. Basal metabolism determinations were again made three times a week, each determination following the light treatment by twenty to seventy hours.

Case 1 received twenty treatments within twenty-four days. Case 2, due to the isolation of the ward, at first received treatment at irregular intervals. The first four treatments were given within one month, and the (last eight within nineteen days.