Pediatric reference ranges for various laboratory markers as children's nutritional needs change
Year: 2021
Type: article
Abstract: Background: Historically, serum visceral proteins like albumin and prealbumin have been used as indicators of patients' nutritional condition. Prealbumin is generally used over albumin since it has a shorter half-life, which means it reflects more fast changes in nutritional status. Recently, there has been increasing attention given to the need of doing a nutrition-focused physical examination and reviewing the patient's medical history in order to diagnose malnutrition. Additionally, there is a growing recognition of the role that inflammation plays as a risk factor for malnutrition. Inflammatory signals have a considerable inhibitory effect on the synthesis of visceral proteins. Aim of Work: The use of these proteins as indicators for nutritional status has been a subject of discussion since they are significantly impacted by inflammation and less affected by protein energy storage. Methods: Currently, it is widely agreed upon that laboratory markers may be used as a supplementary tool to a comprehensive physical examination. Additional indications of nutritional status, such as urine creatinine or 3-methylhistidine, have not been widely used to measure muscle protein breakdown. Serum IGF-1 is hardly affected by inflammation and decreases with starvation.
Author: Mohammed Mishal Hamoud Alnihier
Institution: National Guard Health Affairs
Language: English
Subfield: Nutrition and Dietetics
Field: Nursing
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4399148446