Impact of Spirulina and Soya on Lipids, Electrolytes and Iron Status in Malnourished Children 6-59 Months in Côte D'Ivoire

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine biochemical (lipids and ferritin)and electrolytes (Na, K, Cl) markers in children suffering from malnutrition in Abidjan Hospital setting before and after supplementation with soya and spirulina. The study concerned a total of 195 children between 6-59 months distributed in several groups. They were evaluated for total serum cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) by enzymatic method using Fully analyzer (Biosystem-Italie) and the electrolytes such as chloride, potassium and sodium concentration by flame photometry using automated analyser (Humanlyte-USA). Concerning the TG, values increased at the end of the study, but only the group having received the spirulina (group 3) supplement recorded a significant profit (p<0.001). It was the same for the TC for which a significant increase was observed with this same group (p<0.05) compared to their baseline value. There was an increase in natremia, kaliemia and chloride in all groups that were low at the start of the study compared to normal values, even though this increase was not significant. However, children kaliemia in group 3 showed a significant increase (p<0.05).The intake of family foods, soya and spirulina improved lipids and electrolytes characteristics of all children under study. The diet with spirulina was the most efficient in our study.