Serum protein and transferrin determinations to distinguish kwashiorkor from iron deficiency anaemia.

Masawe, A. E. J., and Rwabwogo-Atenyi, J. (1973). Archives of Disease in Childhood, 48, 927. Serum protein and transferrin determinations to distinguish kwashiorkor from iron deficiency anaemia. Serum proteins and serum transferrin levels were studied in 38 African children of whom 10 were normal controls, 18 had severe iron deficiency anaemia, and 10 had kwashiorkor. The results showed that the patients with iron deficiency anaemia had relatively higher total serum proteins and serum globulins than a comparable normal control group. Conversely, patients with kwashiorkor had lower total proteins and normal globulins. The albumin fraction was raised above the control in 50% of the patients with iron deficiency anaemia and diminished in the other 50%. In kwashiorkor the levels were uniformly diminished. The transferrin levels were uniformly raised in the iron deficiency anaemia group and uniformly diminished in the kwashiorkor group. The transferrin level was deemed the best screening test to distinguish the two disorders.