Abstract

A mixture of 10 essential amino acids was given by gavage to 8 children with infantile malnutrition and 7 children who had clinically recovered from malnutrition. Blood samples taken before and at different times after the amino acid load were analysed for glucose, free fatty acid, α-amino nitrogen, insulin, and growth hormone. In both the malnourished and the recovered children the amino acid load caused a rise in plasma α-amino nitrogen and glucose, and a fall in growth hormone levels, but no change in plasma free fatty acid or insulin levels.