Need for re-evaluation of serum albumin in an African population.

Serum albumin and total proteins of healthy Nigerian adolescents aged 12-17 years were estimated. The average serum albumin value was significantly higher than previously reported twenty years ago. This increase has shown that the serum albumin concentration of Africans can be as high as that of Europeans. The results are discussed in the light of the improved standard of living and better dietary habits and indicate the necessity for re-evaluating serum albumin values in populations where the standard of living has improved over the years, since this parameter is of great diagnostic value in medical practice.