Platelet functions in patients with protein-energy malnutrition

Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) has been known to cause several organ dam ages or dysfunctions. In this study, using optic method, platelet aggregati on (PA) analyses were performed in patients with PEM. Adenosine diphosphate (ADP)- and collagen-induced PA were significantly decreased in the patient s with PEM. The low values reached normal when the patients caught up the o ptimal growing curve for their age. PA with ristocetin and epinephrine were not significantly altered in the patients. Conversely, mean platelet count was increased at the beginning compared to those of after therapy and to t he control. These results indicate that some platelet functions (ADP- and c ollagen-induced platelet aggregations), as well as other body functions, ha ve been decreased in PEM.