Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Endocrine Responses to Malnutrition in Man

  • Conference paper
Environmental Endocrinology

Part of the book series: Proceedings in Life Sciences ((LIFE SCIENCES))

Abstract

Protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM) continues to be one of the major nutritional and public health problems that confront the developing countries today. In view of the high nutrient demands of growth, children between 1 and 4 years of age, generally referred to as pre-school children, are most vulnerable to the ravages of malnutrition. The primary and the characteristic response to PCM is retardation of growth, the degree of which in any child depends on the extent of calorie and protein deficiency, its duration, the age of weaning, weaning practices, exposures to infections and their severity, etc. Hence PCM does not manifest itself as a single syndrome, but comprises a wide spectrum with varying degrees of retardation of growth. At the extreme end of this spectrum, the two clinically characteristic pictures of marasmus and kwashiorkor stand out as striking testimonies to a continuing human tragedy. Nearly 80%-90% of the pre-school children in India suffer from mild and moderate forms of malnutrition, whereas 2%-3% suffer from kwashiorkor and marasmus.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • ABBASSY, A.S., MIKHAIL, M., ZEITOUN, M.M., RAGAB, M.: The suprarenal cortical function as measured by the plasma 17-hydroxysteroid level in malnourished children. J. Trop. Pediat. 13, 87–95 (1967)

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • ABBASSY, A.S., MIKHAIL, M., ZEITOUN, M.M., RAGAB, M.: The suprarenal cortical function as measured by the plasma 17-hydroxysteroid level in malnourished children. J. Trop. Pediat. 13,154–162 (1967)

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • ALLEYNE, G.A.O., YOUNG, V.H.: Adrenal function in malnutrition. Lancet 1, 911–912 (1966)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • ALLEYNE, G.A.O., YOUNG, V.H.: Adrenocortical function in children with severe protein-calorie malnutrition. Clin. Sci. 33, 189–200 (1967)

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • BEAS, F., CONTRERAS, I., MACCIONI, A., ARENAS, S.: Growth hormone in infant malnutrition: the arginine test in marasmus and kwashiorkor. Brit. J. Nutr. 26, 169–175 (1971)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • BEAS, F., MONCKEBERG, F., HORWITZ, I.: The response of the thyroid gland to thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in infants with malnutrition. Pediatrics 38, 1003–1008 (1966)

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • BEHAR, M., VITERI, F., BRESSANI, R., ARROYAVE, G., SQUIBB, R.L., SCRIMSHAW, N. S.: Principles of treatment and prevention of severe protein malnutrition in children. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 69, 954–968 (1958)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • BEITINS, I.Z., KOWARSKI, A., MIGEON, C.L., GRAHAM, G.G.: Adrenal function in normal infants and in marasmus and kwashiorkor. J. Pediat. 86, 302–308 (1975)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • BLODGETT, F.M., BURGIN, L., IEZZONI, D., GRIBETZ, D., TALBOT, N.B.: Effects of prolonged cortisone therapy on the statural growth, skeletal maturation and metabolic status of children. New Engl. J. Med. 254, 636–641 (1956)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • EDOZIEN, J.C., PHILLIPS, E.J., COLLIS, W.R.F.: The free amino acids of plasma and urine in Kwashiorkor. Lancet 1, 615–618 (1960)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • GOPALAN, C.: Kwashiorkor and marasmus. Evolution and distinguishing features. In: Calorie Deficiencies and Protein Deficiencies. McCance, R.A., Widdowson, E.M. (eds.). London: J. & A. Churchill, 1968, pp. 49–58

    Google Scholar 

  • GRAHAM, G.G., BAERTL, J.M., CLAEYSSEN, G., SUSKIND, R., GREENBERG, A.H., THOMPSON, R.G., BLIZZARD, R.M.: Thyroid hormonal studies in normal and severely malnourished infants and small children. J. Pediat. 83, 321–331 (1973)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • INGENBLEEK, Y., DE NAYER, PH., DE VISSCHER, M.: Thyroxine binding globulin in infant protein-calorie malnutrition. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metabi 39, 178–180 (1974)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • JAYA RAO, K.S.: Kwashiorkor and marasmus. Blood sugar levels and response to epinephrine. Am. J. Dis. Chil. 519–522 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • JAYA RAO, K.S.: Evolution of kwashiorkor and marasmus. Lancet 1, 709–711 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • JAYA RAO, K.S., KHAN, L.: Basal energy metabolism in protein calorie malnutrition. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 27, 892–896 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • JAYA RAO, K.S., PRASAD, P.S.K.: Serum triglycerides and nonesterified fatty acids in kwashiorkor. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 19, 205–209 (1966)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • JAYA RAO, K.S., RAGHURAMULU, N.: Insulin secretion in kwashiorkor. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 35, 63–66 (1972)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • JAYA RAO, K.S., SRIKANTIA, S.G., GOPALAN, C.: Plasma Cortisol levels in protein-calorie malnutrition. Arch. Dis. Childh. 43, 365–367 (1968)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • LEWIS, B., HANSEN, J.D.L., WITTMAN, W., KRUT, L.H., STEWART, F.: Plasma free fatty acids in kwashiorkor and the pathogenesis of the fatty liver. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 15, 161–168 (1964)

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • LUNN, P.G., WHITEHEAD, R.G., BAKER, B.A., AUSTIN, S.: The effect of cortisone acetate on the course of development of experimental protein-energy malnutrition in rats. Brit. J. Nutr. 36, 537–550 (1976)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • LUNN, P.G., WHITEHEAD, R.G., HAY, R.W., BAKER, B.A.: Progressive changes in serum Cortisol, insulin and growth hormone concentrations and their relationship to the distorted amino acid pattern during the development of kwashiorkor. Brit. J. Nutr. 29, 399–422 (1973)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • MCLAREN, D.S.: A fresh look at protein-calorie malnutrition. Lancet 1, 485–488 (1966)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MILNER, R.D.G.: Metabolic and hormonal responses to glucose and glucagon in patients with infantile malnutrition. Peadiat. Res. 5, 33–39 (1971a)

    Google Scholar 

  • MILNER, R.D.G.: Metabolic and hormonal responses to oral amino acids in infantile malnutrition. Arch. Dis. Childh. 46, 301–305 (1971b)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • MONCKEBERG, F., BEAS, F., HORWITH, I., DABANCENS, A., GONZALEZ, M.: Oxygen consumption in infant malnutrition. Pediatrics 33, 554–561 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • MULINOS, M.G., POMERANTZ, L.: Pseudohypophysectomy. J. Nutr. 19, 493–504 (1940)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • MUNRO, H.N.: General aspects of the regulation of protein metabolism by diet and by hormones. In: Mammalian Protein Metabolism. Vol. I. Munro, H.N., Allison, J.B. (eds.). New York-London: Academic Press, 1964, pp. 381–481

    Google Scholar 

  • NOUY, L. DU: Human Destiny. London: Longmans, Green & Co., 1947

    Google Scholar 

  • PARRA, A., GARZA, C., KLISH, W., GARCIA, G., ARGOTE, R.M., CANSECO, L., CUELLAR, A., NICHOLS, B.L.: Insulin-growth hormone adaptations in marasmus and kwashiorkor as seen in Mexico. In: Endocrine Aspects of Malnutrition. Gardner, L.I., Amacher, P. (eds.). Santa Ynez (Calif.): Kroc Foundation, 1973, pp. 31–43

    Google Scholar 

  • PECILE, A., MULLER, E.: Suppressive action of corticosteroids on the secretion of growth hormone. J. Endocrinol. 36, 401–408 (1966)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • PERLOFF, W.H., LASCHE, E.M., NODINE, J.H., SCHNEEBERG, N.G., VIEILLARD, C.B.: The starvation state and functional hypopituitarism. J. Am. Med. Assn. 155, 1307–1313 (1954)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • PIMSTONE, B.L., BARBEZAT, G., HANSEN, J.D.L., MURRAY, P.: Studies on growth hormone secretion in protein-calorie malnutrition. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 21, 482–487 (1968)

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • RAGHURAMULU, N., JAYA RAO, K.S.: Growth hormone secretion in protein-calorie malnutrition. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 38, 176–180 (1974)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • ROBINSON, H., COCKS, T., KERR, D., PICOU, D.: Fasting and postprandial levels of plasma insulin and growth hormone in malnourished Jamaican children, during catchup growth and after clinical recovery. In: Endocrine Aspects of Malnutrition.

    Google Scholar 

  • GARDNER, L.I., AMACHER, P. (eds.). Santa Ynez (Calif.): Kroc Foundation, 1973, pp. 45–72

    Google Scholar 

  • SAMUEL, A.M., DESHPANDE, U.R.: Growth hormone levels in protein-calorie malnutrition. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 35, 863–867 (1972)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • SELYE, H.: The Story of the Adaptation Syndrome. Montreal, Canada: Acta Inc. Medical Publishers, 1952

    Google Scholar 

  • WATERLOW, J.C.: Observations on the mechanism of adaptation to low protein intakes. Lancet 2, 1091–1097 (1968)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • WATERLOW, J.C., ALLEYNE, G.A.O.: Protein malnutrition in children. Advances in knowledge in the last ten years. Adv. Prot. Chem. 25, 11–7–241 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. K. S. Jaya Rao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Montpellier, France

    Ivan Assenmacher MD, DSc (Professor of Physiology) (Professor of Physiology)

  2. University of Washington, Seattle, USA

    Donald S. Farner PhD, DSc (Professor of Zoology) (Professor of Zoology)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1978 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this paper

Cite this paper

Rao, K.S.J. (1978). Endocrine Responses to Malnutrition in Man. In: Assenmacher, I., Farner, D.S. (eds) Environmental Endocrinology. Proceedings in Life Sciences. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-66981-1_50

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-66981-1_50

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-66983-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-66981-1

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation