All children with PEM have micronutrient deficiency. This study was done in children (125) suffering from marasmus and compared with apparently healthy children(175) of the same age group who served as control. All the children’s were subjected to estimation of serum copper and enzymatic activity of SOD. There was a significant decrease seen in the level of SOD and copper level in marasmic children as compared to control. Deficiency of trace elements leads to depleted antioxidant protection which may be contributing factor to patho-physiology of protein malnutrition.
