Hair-Shaft Diameter as an Index of Protein-Calorie Malnutrition

Abstract

Children were studied to determine the relationship between hair-shaft diameter and nutritional status. Nutritional histories were unknown for 114 of them; and 13 of the children whose condition had been previously diagnosed as kwashiorkor had received a diet for six months which was known to be adequate in protein. The 114 children were classified into one of four nutritional groups: there were statistically significant differences between hair-shaft diameters of the kwashiorkor group and that of either marasmus, nutritional dwarf, normal, or treated (post-kwashiorkor) groups. Hair-shaft diameters of the marasmus group were significantly less than those of the nutritional dwarfs; however, there were no significant differences between the nutritional dwarf, normal, or treated groups. Hair-shaft diameter measurement may be useful as a check on nutritional history in evaluation of treatment.