Plasma insulin, growth hormone, somatomedin, free and bound cortisol, and serum albumin were measured in human infants with protein-energy malnutrition and in age-matched control subjects. Insulin and somatomedin were reduced, growth hormone and free and total cortisol were elevated in malnourished infants. Free cortisol and somatomedin were negatively correlated (r = -0.78) and somatomedin and percentage weight deficit were negatively correlated in marasmus (r = -0.62) and kwashiorkor (r = -0.68). It is suggested that elevated plasma-free cortisol as well as depressed plasma insulin in protein-energy malnourished infants is partially responsible for the depressed plasma somatomedin and reduced protein synthesis and growth in children. 607 0037-972718 11080607-05$01 .OO/O

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