Whole blood analysis of kwashiorkor cases by PIXE

Abstract A particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) analysis of whole blood has been performed on samples supplied by a hospital. Of these samples 45 were from kwashiorkor cases and 37 were from a control group. The relative concentrations determined for the elements Cl, K, Ca, Fe, Cu and Zn indicated significant deficiencies in all these elements for the kwashiorkor group. The statistical treatment of the results is discussed as well as the suitability of PIXE for this work.