Blood volume (51Cr) in severe protein-calorie malnutrition.

The intravascular volumes were determined in 42 protein-calorie-depleted Shi children, and in 14 healthy patients. The red cell volume (RCV) was determined by a radiochromium technique; the total blood volume (TBV), the plasma volume (PV), and the total circulating albumin (TCA) were derived. The values were related to weight without edema, to expected weight for height, and to body surface area. Related values were averaged and were correlated with both the weight deviation and the plasma albumin level. Figures for healthy Shi children were comparable with American normal standards. Malnourished children were hypovolemic relative to their body size measurements; low TBV was the consequence of an absolute decrease in RCV and of a possible reduction of PV; TCA was lowered in the same proportion as albuminemia. RCV and TBV correlated well with albuminemia, but did not correlate with the weight deviation; the relationship between PV and albuminemia was not linear. Despite some quantitative discrepancies, similar results were obtained with each kind of related values. In a discussion of the results, stress is laid on risks of misinterpretation resulting from the use of anthropometric parameters as a basis of reference when studying intravascular volumes in marasmic kwashiorkor.