Diameter and Amino Acid Changes in Hair of African Children with Protein-Calorie Malnutrition
November 1966
in “
Experimental Biology and Medicine
”
TLDR Hair diameter can indicate protein status in malnourished children if sample location is controlled.
This study investigated the potential of using hair diameter as an indicator of protein status in Negro children with protein-calorie malnutrition. Conducted in Haiti, the study involved 36 children aged 3 to 72 months, categorized as having normal nutrition, marasmus, or kwashiorkor. Researchers collected 185 hair samples from different head regions, emphasizing the importance of sample location for accurate assessment. The study found that hair diameter could be a promising indicator of protein status if the sampling position on the head is controlled, addressing a significant oversight in previous research.
