Lack of Proteins in Child Nutrition

Summary The author presents a concise picture of the research conducted by himself and his co‐workers in the last 9 years about the lack of complete proteins in early childhood. In the complex symptoniatology of the disease, which has resemblances in different (tropical and sub‐tropical) parts of the world and which is designated by different names such as “starchy food dystrophy” and “kwashiorkor”, the author has separated, through a nicthod of clinical analysis, the additional avitaminotic manifestations which can be eliminated by addition of the respective vitamins, thus delimiting a central syndrome, which disappears only after administration of animal proteins. Research into proteinaemia, albumin/globulin ratio, ionogram, extracellular fluid, tryptic, amylo‐ and lipolytic power in the duodenal fluid complete the picture of the lack of proteins (“hypoproteinosis”) as it is shown by Italian children. The lack of certain amino acids and their therapeutic effect as well as the possibility of combining different vegetable proteins together in order to obtain complete mixtures of amino acids at low cost for the social prophylaxis of “hypoproteinosis” are discussed. From the therapeutic point of view the author presents his experience about urgent treatment and realimentation, about plasma transfusion and administration of animal protein hydrolysates, as well as of preparations of soluble caseinate.