Utilization of Prealbumin as a Nutritional Parameter

The response of prealbumin was compared to that of albumin and transferrin in 16 patients following 7 days of metabolic/nutritional support. Baseline values were compared to day 7 results to assess the degree of change. Prealbumin demonstrated a significant increase in the mean serum concentration (13.0 us 19.6 mg/100 ml) in the presence of a positive nitrogen balance. Transferrin exhibited a similar significant response (168.8 us 223.7 mg/100 ml). Albumin, body weight, and serum iron concentration did not change significantly during the 7‐day period. Prealbumin effectively demonstrated an anabolic response in the study sample and could possibly be used as an early indicator of visceral protein anabolism in patients receiving metabolic/nutritional support. (Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition 9 :709–711, 1985)