ALTERATIONS OF SERUM-LIPID FRACTION IN UNDERNOURISHED CHILDREN WITH OR WITHOUT CLINICAL OVERT INFECTION - PARADOXICAL HYPERTRIGLYCERIDEMIA IN MALNUTRITION

We have studied the levels of total triglycerides, total choresterol a nd high, low and very low density lipoproteins, in serum from undernou rished children and from eutrophic controls matched by age, race and s ocioeconomical condition with the undernourished group. Malnourished c hildren were classified according to the severity of the nutritional d eficiency and according to the presence or absence of associated overt infections. Serum lipids fractions were evaluated by colorimetric pro cedures and by electrophoretic isolation and elution of the desired li poprotein followed by colorimetric evaluation of the cholesterol conte nt. Increased levels of total triglycerides and very low density lipop roteins were observed in the undernourished group. The rise in the lev els of total triglycerides and low density lipoproteins was more marke d in children with moderate and severe undernutrition as well as in un dernourished with associated overt infection. In contrast, as expected , serum levels of total cholesterol, high density and low density lipo proteins were significantly diminished in undernourished children. The depression in the amount of total cholesterol, high density and low d ensity lipoproteins was more marked in the severe forms of undernutrit ion. Increased levels of total triglycerides and very low density lipo protein could be determined by a defect in the clearance of these lipi d fractions due to depressed activity of lipoprotein lipase.