Investigation of the nutritional state of children in a Congolese village. I. Anthropometrical data, plasma prealbumin, albumin, immunoglobulins, ferritin, C-reactive protein, circulating immune complexes.

The nutritional status of an unselected group of 111 children from the village of Bouansa, People's Republic of the Congo, was studied. Comprehensive clinical examinations, anthropometrical measurements and analysis of albumin, prealbumin, ferritin, C-reactive protein (CRP), IgA, IgG, IgM, IgE, IgG- and IgM-circulating immune complexes (CIC) were carried out. The results show, by anthropometrical classification, a high prevalence of moderate malnutrition. Low levels of plasma proteins and high levels of immunoglobulins and CIC were found. No correlation between anthropometrical classification and plasma proteins was established. Children with increased levels of CRP showed low prealbumin values and increased levels of ferritin. Patterns of immunoglobulins and CIC were close to those found in other studies in tropical countries. To evaluate the anthropometrical and biochemical findings it is necessary to take into consideration the apparently healthy appearance of the children, which shows the degree of adaptation to the limited availability of food and the high rate of acute and chronic infections.