Infection and Nutritional Status: I. The Effect of Chicken Pox on Nitrogen Metabolism in Children

Abstract

Nitrogen balance data were obtained for several three-day periods in each of six children with chicken pox. In all the children some degree of reduction in nitrogen retention was noted. In three of them, this occurred in the period immediately following the appearance of the exanthem, and in two, it was delayed for several more days. In the sixth child, a decrease occurred during the prodromal period. In two of the children the adverse effect lasted for as long as two weeks. Since the infection did not appear to influence nitrogen absorption, an increase in urinary nitrogen was obviously taking place. This was confirmed by direct measurement of urinary nitrogen. Despite efforts to maintain a constant dietary intake, the children consumed less food during the acute phase of infection. The results help explain the association between an epidemic of an acute infection and the subsequent appearance of an increased number of cases of kwashiorkor in children already suffering from underlying protein malnutrition.