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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #332839
Title: Protein quality and growth in malnourished children

Author
item MANARY, MARK - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item CALLAGHAN, MEGHAN - Washington University
item SINGH, LAUREN - Washington University
item BRIEND, ANDRE - University Of Copenhagen

Submitted to: Food and Nutrition Bulletin
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/8/2016
Publication Date: 3/1/2016
Citation: Manary, M., Callaghan, M., Singh, L., Briend, A. 2016. Protein quality and growth in malnourished children. Food and Nutrition Bulletin. Suppl 1:S29-S36.

Interpretive Summary: Protein quality refers to the amounts and ratios of essential amino acids in a food. This study used data about recovery rates of children treated for severe acute malnutrition from published literature to examine the relationship between protein quality of the food aid product used to treat the child and weight gain. The data shows that higher protein quality foods are associated with better weight gain in children. Such findings are important for intervention development in the future for this population.

Technical Abstract: Protein quality refers to the amounts and ratios of essential amino acids in a food. Two methods most commonly used for determining protein quality are the protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS) and the digestible indispensible amino acid score (DIAAS). To use existing literature to compare different amino acid profiles and PDCAAS and DIAAS scores in individuals with acute inflammation and to assess their relationship with weight gain in children with severe acute malnourished (SAM). A series stable isotope studies were previously conducted in children with SAM and acute infection, and these data were reviewed with respect to protein synthesis. Eleven published treatment trials for SAM with different therapeutic foods were analyzed to examine the relationship between protein quality scores with weight gain (g/kg/d). Protein scores were calculated with the PDCAAS and DIAAS amino acid reference patterns. A DIAAS score adjusted for the higher weight gain expected in malnourished children was also used. Bivariate correlation analysis was used to examine this relationship. The protein kinetic data supported the hypothesis that a balance of amino acids that matches the composition of acute-phase proteins maximizes amino acid synthesis. Protein quality scores were highly correlated with the rate of weight gain in recovery from SAM, and the DIAAS scoring system adjusted for the higher expected weight gain had the strongest correlation with the observed weight gain. Protein quality scores must account for physiologic status so that they better match with needs and thus better promote health.