Author(s): Deepa C, Parkash Chand, Vishnu Bhat B, Negi VS, Ramachandra Rao K
The present study was conducted to determine the levels of immunoglobulins in Down syndrome and correlate them with nutritional status. There were 30 children with Karyotypically confirmed Down syndrome . Anthropometric measurements were recorded using standard techniques to assess nutritional status. Serum IgG, IgA and IgM concentrations were determined using automated nephelometer. The immunoglobulin levels were correlated with nutritional status of children with Down syndrome. Out of 30 children with Down syndrome, 13 were males and 17 females. Their ages ranged from 1.5 to 9 years. Seventeen children were normally nourished whereas 6 children had grade I malnutrition, 7 cases grade II and III malnutrition. The levels of IgG ( 13.32± 4.25 to 10.73 ± 2.64 g/l ) and IgA ( 1.345 ± 0.16 to 1.079 ± 0.42 g/l ) decreased with increasing grades of malnutrition whereas the levels of IgM ( 1.084 ± 0.413 to 1.256 ± 0.22 g/l ) increased with increasing grades of malnutrition. In the present study, the serum immunoglobulins showed statistically insignificant alterations with various grades of malnutrition.