Aromatic Amino Acid Metabolism in the Pathogenesis of Kwashiorkor

NCT00429351 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: H-16233R01DK075018
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 82
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This research may explain whether a shortage of three special compounds called aromatic amino acids is responsible for the severe illness and high death rate of children with the kwashiorkor type of malnutrition and whether supplying adequate amounts of these compounds in the treatment diet will speed up recovery from this condition. We propose that decreased availability of the aromatic amino acids may be the reason why children with kwashiorkor are sicker and more difficult to treat.

Conditions

Kwashiorkor

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 6 Months - 18 Months
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

82 children aged 6 to 18 months and diagnosed with severe protein-energy malnutrition. By the Wellcome Classification patients will have marasmus (\< 60 % weight/age and no edema), marasmic-kwashiorkor (\< 60 % weight/age plus edema) or kwashiorkor (\< 80 % weight/age plus edema)

You may qualify if:

• Malnourished children between 6 to 18 months of age.
• To standardize for degree of malnutrition, only patients whose weight is \< 80 % of that expected for age will be enrolled. By the Wellcome Classification (22), enrolled patients will have marasmus (\< 60 % weight/age and no edema), marasmic-kwashiorkor (\< 60 % weight/age plus edema) or kwashiorkor (\< 80 % weight/age plus edema).
• Presence of infection at admission. Infection will be defined by the presence of two or more of the following: Leukocyte count \>11,000 cells/dl, temperature at admission \> 99 oF, positive blood or urine cultures.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Baylor College of Medicine: lead
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK): collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Tropical Metabolism Research Unit, University of the West Indies

Mona, Kingston, Kingston-7, Jamaica

Location

Biospecimen

Retention: SAMPLES WITHOUT DNA

plasma, expired breath

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Kwashiorkor

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Severe Acute Malnutrition; Malnutrition; Nutrition Disorders; Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE CROSSOVER
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor, Pediatrics-Nutrition

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 30, 2007
• First Posted: January 31, 2007
• Study Start: September 1, 2006
• Study Completion: June 1, 2010
• Last Updated: February 26, 2020

Record last verified: 2020-02

Locations

JA (1)