GEOCHEMICAL BASIS OF TROPICAL ENDOMYOCARDIAL FIBROSIS
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Date
1994
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
CURRENT SCIENCE
Abstract
Endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF) has a marked preference for the tropics and the poor socio-economic class. Tropical soil is rich in minerals such as monazite and the endomyocardial samples of patients with EMF show higher levels of cerium - a major constituent of monazite - in combination with lower concentrations of magnesium. The geochemical hypothesis postulates that poor children are prose to develop magnesium deficiency because of insufficient intake and the higher growth needs for the element. The deficiency of magnesium promotes the absorption of cerium and enhances its toxicity which could form the basis for the initial injury in EMF.
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Keywords
Science & Technology - Other Topics
Citation
67 ,2;99-104