Creatinine-height index

Additional tests were made to help evaluate Mr. Veere s degree of malnutrition and his progress toward recovery. His arm circumference and triceps skinfold were measured, and his mid upper arm muscle circumference was calculated (see Chap. 2, Anthropometric Measurements). His serum transferrin, as well as his serum albumin, were measured. Fasting blood glucose and serum ketone body concentration were determined on blood samples drawn the next day before breakfast. A 24-hour urine specimen was collected to determine ketone body excretion and creatinine excretion for calculation of the creatinine-height index, a measure of protein depletion from skeletal muscle. 

Percy Veere has several indicators of his protein malnntrition his serum albumin and transferrin levels are below normal, his mid-npper-arm mnscle circumference (MUAMC) is at the 12th percentile, and his creatinine-height index (CHI) was at 85%. The low levels of semm proteins reflect a low dietary protein intake, and possibly diminished capacity to absorb dietary amino acids. Consequently, amino acids are being mobilized from degradation of protein in mnscle and other tissues to supply precursors for new protein synthesis as well as glnconeogenesis. The result is a loss of muscle mass, indicated by the MUAMC and the CHI, and decreased levels of serum proteins. 

Viteri, F., and Alvarado, J. (1970) The creatinine height index its uses in the estimation of the degree of protein depletion and repletion in protein-calorie malnourished children. Pediatr. 46 696. 

---