Twenty Black children with classic signs of kwashiorkor were investigated. Serum and hair samples were taken on admission and analysed for several trace elements using emission spectrography and neutron activation analysis. After three weeks on a specific acidified milk diet, serum and hair samples were again taken at the time of discharge and analysed for trace element content. The sera samples were also analysed for total protein, several protein fractions, transferrin and ceruloplasmin levels in an attempt to determine the effect of protein changes. Sera and hair samples of a control group were analysed. It W3S found that several trace elements are in imbalance in kwashiorkor. The significance of these results is discussed.S. Afr. Med. J., 48, 502 (1974)