The relationship between nutritional status and prealbumin levels in children with loss of appetite and iron deficiency: a prospective cross-sectional study

While appetite loss is a clinically reported symptom, reduced prealbumin levels reflect the underlying nutritional impact of this condition. Prealbumin is a sensitive and reliable biomarker for assessing nutritional deterioration associated with both appetite loss and iron deficiency in children and outperforms commonly used nutritional indices. Its use may improve early recognition and management of nutritional risk in pediatric populations. Further research is needed to explore the diagnostic and prognostic value of nutritional indices (CONUT, PNI, and NRI) in children.