Assessment of calcium and phosphate levels among Sudanese children with malnutrition: A pilot study in Khartoum state

Malnutrition is a public health problem of significant importance in developing countries, it generally affects everyone in a community, but infants and children are the most vulnerable because of their high nutritional needs for growth and development. This study aimed to assess the levels of calcium and phosphate among Sudanese children with malnutrition.  This case control study was conducted in Omdurman hospital in Khartoum, Sudan, during the period from April 2019 to May 2019. Fifty children with malnutrition (case) and 50 healthy children (control) were enrolled in this study; both groups were matched in age and sex. Blood samples were analyzed for calcium and phosphate levels using Mindray BS-200 automated analyzer. There was a significant decrease in phosphate level in malnourished children when compared with healthy children (P-value = 0.00). According to the type of malnutrition, there were significant differences in mean of calcium level; marasmic children had lower mean level (7.1 mg/dL) compared with kwashiorkor and under-nutrition children (9.4 mg/dL). In addition, there was no correlation between serum calcium and phosphate levels with the duration of malnutrition. (r =-0.071. P-value = 0,624) (r = 00.077. P-value = 0.593) respectively. In conclusion: Hypophosphatemia is a common finding among Sudanese malnourished children and marasmic children had decreased level of calcium when compared to other types of malnutrition. Accordingly, it is better to monitor serum phosphate level and other nutritional status within the recovery period.