THE CLINICAL MANIFESTATION OF THE KWASHIORKOR SYNDROME IS RELATED TO INCREASED LIPID-PEROXIDATION

Along with the onset of severe kwashiorkor symptoms, a 20-month-old ch ild showed biochemical signs of markedly increased lipid peroxidation, with a decrease of plasma antioxidants and decreased proportions of p olyunsaturated fatty acids in plasma and red cell phospholipids. Addit ionally, plasma concentrations of the lipid peroxidation products malo ndialdehyde and hexanal, as well as the urinary excretion of leukotrie ne E-4, were found to be increased. AU biochemical alterations normali zed along with subsequent clinical improvement. These findings suggest that the extent of lipid peroxidation is strongly related to the seve rity of the kwashiorkor syndrome.