Thyroid hormone status in protein energy malnutrition in Indian children

Thyroid hormonal status was measured in 80 malnourished children of different grades (I–IV) of protein energy malnutrition (PEM). Serum levels of tri-iodo thyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured by radioimmunoassay. The results were compared with 20 healthy, age and sex matched controls. Levels of T3 and T4 were significantly low in PEM cases whereas TSH levels were similar in PEM cases when compared to controls.