Marasmus

Marasmus is a childhood nutritional disorder characterised by calorie deficiency and energy deficiency.

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Marasmus is a form of severe protein-energy malnutrition (PEM), the others being kwashiorkor and cachexia (the most common form of PEM in the developed world).

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A child with marasmus looks emaciated and the body weight may reduce to less than 80% of the normal weight for that height.

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The signs are essentially characteristic of protein-energy deficiency: dry skin, loose skin folds hanging over the glutei, axillae etc. Drastic loss of adipose tissue from normal areas of fat deposits like buttocks and thighs. The child is fretful, irritable and may show voracious appetite. There may be alternate bands of pigmented and depigmented hair (flag sign) and flaky paint appearance of skin due to peeling.

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It is essential to treat not only the symptoms but also the complications of the disorder like infections, dehydration and circulation disorders, which are frequently lethal and lead to high mortality if ignored.

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Protein-energy malnutrition: A deficiency syndrome caused by the inadequate intake of macronutrients....

Kwashiorkor: Kwashiorkor is a childhood disorder caused by lack of nutrients, including protein in the diet. British pediatrician Cicely D. Williams introduced the name into international scientific circles in her 1935 Lancet article. The name is derived from one of the Kwa languages of coastal Ghana and means "...

Cachexia: Cachexia is loss of weight, muscle wasting, fatigue, weakness and decrease of appetite in someone who is not actively trying to lose weight. It can be a sign of various underlying disorders; when a patient presents with cachexia, a doctor will generally consider the possibility of cancer, certain in...