PLASMA ADENOSINE DEAMINASE ACTIVITY IN A GROUP OF CHILDREN SUFFERING CYSTIC FIBROSIS.PRELIMINARY STUDY.

Mucus of children suffering cystic fibrosis (CF) can avoid the normal absorption of essential nutrients and fat, leading to poor digestion, and increased vulnerability to infections. Preliminary results suggest that nutritional status of children suffering CF was altered. Therefore, some authors have observed increase in the activity of sera Adenosine Deaminase (ADA) in patients with pathologies related with lymphocytes T. In this preliminary paper we analyze if plasma ADA activity on this population in nutritional risk, is altered. The study included 17 children of both genders with CF (2months‐10 years old); the activity of ADA (U/L) was determined by the method of Giusti and Galanti; data were compared with the age‐matched well nourished control (C ) applying the test of Student. The results expressed as X+ SD were: CF: 34.5±15.6* ;C: 23.0±5.6 (p< 0.001). It was observed an statistical increase in the activity of ADA. These preliminary results suggest depression on the mechanisms of defense that are concomitant with an altered nutritional status. ADA determination might be included in the periodic evaluation of patients with CF. In these patients, the assessment of nutritional status must be included between the main parameters that could influence the evolution of the disease, the prognosis and the survival Partially supported by University of Buenos Aires (B074)