The purpose of this study was to investigate the anthropometry, biochemical parameters and electrolytes concentrations of the Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) patients according to their nutritional status at the time of admission. Thirty-three patients in the Intensive Care Unit at S University Hospital were the subjects of this study. Their nutritional status was classified as At-risk I (Mild PCM, n=13), At-risk II (Moderate PCM, n=9) and At-risk III (Marasmus + kwashiorkor + severe PCM, n=11) . Anthropometeric, biochemical and dietary assessments were performed. The Patients intake of calories (75.02%) and protein (53.15%) was insufficient compare with Korean RDA requirements. The body weight and the Body Mass Index (BMI) in the At-risk III group were significantly lower than in the other groups. The percentage of body weight loss and change of body weight (kg) were significantly higher than in the other groups. The subjects were malnourished as indicated by nutritional related parameters such as serum total protein, albumin, total lymphocyte count (TLC), hemoglobin and hematocrit. Serum total protein, albumin and TLC levels were lower at the time of admission before TPN administration. But after TPN administration, they increased. The electrolyte concentrations did not show any differences following TPN administration. The nutritional status of the patients could be affect by the duration of TPN administration and the number of days of the patients hospitalization. The patients who require nutritional support need the continuous follow-up care and monitoring by a nutritional support team.
Anthropometry ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Electrolytes ; Hematocrit ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Kwashiorkor ; Lymphocyte Count ; Nutritional Status* ; Nutritional Support ; Parenteral Nutrition, Total*

Generalized edema and hypoalbuminemia are relatively common presenting manifestations in many clinical situations. The differential diagnosis of hypoalbuminemia include: Kwashiorkor, synthetic dysfunction of the liver, and excessive protein loss as in nephrotic syndrome. In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), hypoalbuminemia and generalized edema are most commonly due to protein loss associated with lupus nephritis; gastrointestinal involvement is uncommon, and therefore protein loss through the gastrointestinal tract is quite rare. We report a case of a protein losing enteropathy (PLE) associated with SLE. The patient was referred to our hospital for generalized edema, arthralgia and facial rash. After clinical evaluation, the patient met the criteria for the SLE diagnosis; hypoalbuminemia with general edema was consistent with a protein losing enteropathy. After two weeks of therapy with parenteral high dose glucocorticoid, the patients was improved in laboratory findings as well as clinical symptoms.
Arthralgia ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Edema ; Exanthema ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Hypoalbuminemia ; Kwashiorkor ; Liver ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic* ; Lupus Nephritis ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; Protein-Losing Enteropathies*

Kwashiorkor is a syndrome of severe protein malnutrition, which manifests itself in hypoalbuminemia, diarrhea, dermatitis, and edema. It can be life-threatening due to associated immune deficiency and an increased susceptibility to infections. Kwashiorkor should be treated early with nutritional support and the control of infection. Dilated cardiomyopathy may develop during the treatment and in such cases a poor prognosis is expected. Kwashiorkor has been known as a common disease of poor countries. To date, in fact, there has been no report of kwashiorkor leading to death in technically advanced countries. We here report a fatal case of a baby girl admitted with kwashiorkor. She had been fed only with cereal grain mixed with juice, without any protein supplement, for 2 months. This diet was deficient not because of poverty, but due to the illiteracy of her parents. The patient suffered from diarrhea, whole body edema, hypothermia, and dermatitis. Laboratory findings revealed an immune-deficient state featuring leukopenia and decreased immunoglobulin. Blood and urine cultures revealed Alcaligenes Xylosoxidans growth. The patient was fed frequent small amounts of protein-containing formula and intravenous albumin and micronutrients were administered for nutritional support. She was also treated with intravenous immunoglobulin and antibiotics in order to control infection. Nevertheless, she developed dilated cardiomyopathy and multi-organ failure and died. We review this case in light of the literature.
Alcaligenes ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated ; Edible Grain ; Dermatitis ; Diarrhea ; Diet ; Edema ; Literacy ; Humans ; Hypoalbuminemia ; Hypothermia ; Immunoglobulins ; Kwashiorkor ; Leukopenia ; Light ; Malnutrition ; Micronutrients ; Nutritional Support ; Parents ; Poverty ; Prognosis

The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-protein, low-carbohydrate diet developed in the 1920s for the treatment of difficult-to-control seizures. Despite advances in both the pharmacotherapy and the surgery of epilepsy, many children continue to have difficult-to-control seizures. In this situation, a ketogenic diet should be considered as an alternative therapy. However, less attention has been paid to associated adverse events in the ketogenic diet. We report a case of infantile spasm associated with acute renal failure, lipoid pneumonitis and kwashiorkor after ketogenic diet. A better understanding of this adverse event profile will allow the pediatric neurologist to have a true informed consent discussion with the care giver when considering initiation of the ketogenic diet.
Acute Kidney Injury* ; Caregivers ; Child ; Diet ; Drug Therapy ; Epilepsy ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Informed Consent ; Ketogenic Diet* ; Kwashiorkor* ; Pneumonia ; Seizures ; Spasms, Infantile*

Infants and children with food related Atopic Dermatitis (AD) need extra dietary efforts to maintain optimal nutrition due to food restriction to prevent allergy reactions. However, nutrition ignorance and food faddism make patients even more confused and practice desirable diet more difficult. The objective of this study was to report the AD patients' malnutrition cases in Korea. We report on 2 cases of severe nutritional deficiency caused by consuming macrobiotic diets which avoid processed foods and most animal foods, i.e. one of vegetarian diet. Case 1, a 12-month-old male child, was admitted with severe marasmus. Because of a history of AD, he was started on mixed grain porridge at 3 months without any breast milk or formula feeding. His caloric intake was 66% and protein intake was 69% of the recommended dietary allowance. Patient's height and weight was under 3th percentile. On admission the patient was unable to crawl or roll over. Case 2, a 9-month-old AD female patient, was diagnosed with kwashiorkor and rickets. She was also started on mixed grain porridge at 100 days due to AD. Her caloric intake has been satisfied recommended dietary allowance until 7 months, however, she conducted sauna bath therapy and reduced both energy and protein intake at 8 months. The amount of protein intake for case 2 was higher than recommended dietary allowance, but, sauna therapy and severe AD with intakes of low guality protein may increase patient's protein requirement resulting in kwashiorkor. Case 2 patient's height and weight was on 3th percentile. Both cases showed low intake of calcium, iron, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin E and especially very low intake of vitamin B12 and vitamin D. Allergy tests for certain foods had not done prior to admission for both cases. They followed the dietary advise operated by macrobiotic diet internet site. In conclusion, AD infants' parents and caregivers should contact a pediatrician trained as a specialist in allergy for accurate diagnosis. For infant patients, breast or formula feeding including hypoallergenic formula should be continued until their one year of age. When certain foods need to be restricted or to follow special diets such as vegetarian diet, consultation with pediatrician and dietitian is needed.
Animals ; Baths ; Breast ; Calcium ; Caregivers ; Edible Grain ; Child ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Diagnosis ; Diet ; Diet, Macrobiotic ; Diet, Vegetarian* ; Energy Intake ; Female ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Infant* ; Internet ; Iron ; Korea* ; Kwashiorkor* ; Male ; Malnutrition ; Milk, Human ; Nutritionists ; Parents ; Protein-Energy Malnutrition* ; Recommended Dietary Allowances ; Rickets ; Specialization ; Steam Bath ; Vitamin A ; Vitamin B 12 ; Vitamin D ; Vitamin E ; Vitamins ; Zinc