KWASHIORKOR AND MARASMUS

Undernutrition may grow because people are unable to acquire or make food, have a sickness that makes intake or absorbing food tough, or have a significantly increased requirement for calories. Protein-energy undernutrition, which is also named protein-energy malnutrition, is a serious shortage of protein and calories in the body that results when people do not eat sufficient protein and calories for a long time.

Protein-energy undernutrition has two main forms, namely Marasmus and Kwashiorkor.

Marasmus is a critical shortage of calories and protein in the body. It tends to grow in infants and very young children. It characteristically results in weight loss, loss of muscle and fat, and dehydration. Breastfeeding infants usually defend against marasmus.

Kwashiorkor is a critical shortage of protein in the body rather than calories. Kwashiorkor is rarely found more than marasmus. The word is a derivative of an African word meaning “first child–second child” as a first-born child often grows kwashiorkor when the second child is born and substitutes the first-born child at the feeding by the mother. 

UNDERNUTRITION 

Undernutrition is usually believed to be a deficit mainly of calories and proteins in total food consumption. Shortages of vitamins and shortages of minerals are generally considered distinct syndromes. However, when calories are lacking, vitamins and minerals are likely to be also lacking. Undernutrition, which is often assumed to mean the same as malnutrition, is a type of malnutrition.Kwashiorkor and Marasmus are the two most common examples of diseases caused by undernutrition.

KWASHIORKOR

Kwashiorkor is a serious condition that can happen when a person does not consume enough protein. Serious protein absence can lead to fluid retention, which can make the abdomen look overstuffed. Kwashiorkor is most generally found in children, particularly if they do not have the entry of sufficient nutrition right after they leave breastfeeding. If a child suffers from kwashiorkor, they need instant medical care.

CHARACTERISTICS OF KWASHIORKOR

Some characteristic features of kwashiorkor are:

• It occurs in children whose food supplies are protein deficient.
• It is seen in children from 6 months to 3 years of age.
• Ribs of the patient are not prominent.
• Enlarged fatty liver.
• Poor appetite.

SYMPTOMS OF KWASHIORKOR

Kwashiorkor happens in people who have severely lack proteins in their food. Children who suffer kwashiorkor are generally older than children who suffer marasmus. When a child has a food diet that lacks carbohydrates can lead to this disorder.

The symptoms of kwashiorkor include:

• edema, or inflamed or swollen lookout due to fluid retention
• swelling of the stomach
• an inability to grow in height or weight

A child is at a greater risk for kwashiorkor if he resides in a rural area where there is restricted access to protein-rich foods. Children who have been prevented from the milk of their mother are also at high risk if they do not have provision for high protein foods.

WAYS TO PREVENT KWASHIORKOR

There are various ways by which kwashiorkor can be prevented. Some of them are:

• Giving children food rich in nutrition.
• The food should have sufficient carbohydrates, fat at least ten percent of total calories, and protein at least twelve percent of total calories.
• Mineral and vitamin additions along with formulated foods based on milk are important, especially in areas where there is an unceasing shortage of food due to death or droughts.
• There should be the advancement of proper food protection practices.
• Proper teaching and consciousness about breastfeeding and discouraging practices can go an extensive way in avoiding nutritive diseases such as kwashiorkor.
• There should be a facility of vaccination for all children in poor countries.
• Pregnant and feeding mothers should be given an appropriate amount of healthy food.
• Females should be encouraged to breastfeed their newborns.

MARASMUS 

Marasmus is a kind of protein-energy malnutrition that can be caused to anyone but is largely seen in children. Marasmus is suffered when the patient has a serious shortage of nutrients like calories, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. ‌

It is mostly found in developing countries, like in some regions of Asia and Africa. People in these countries are susceptible to having a poor supply of food, making it hard to get sufficient nutrients. The risk of certain transferable diseases can cause marasmus if left uncared.

CHARACTERISTICS OF MARASMUS

Some characteristic features of a person suffering from Marasmus are:

• It occurs due to a lack of proteins and calories in food supplies.
• It commonly affects kids under the age of 1 year.
• Ribs of the patient become very prominent.
• Alert and irritable.
• No liver fat is observed.

SYMPTOMS OF MARASMUS

Marasmus arises more frequently in young children and infants. It leads to loss of moisture and weight loss. Starvation is a method of this sickness. The symptoms of marasmus comprise of:

• Loss in weight
• Dryness in body
• chronic diarrhea
• abdominal shrinkage

A child is at a higher risk for marasmus if they live in a rural area where it is hard to have food or a zone that has food scarcity. Children, including infants who are not fed by their mothers, young children, or older adults also have a higher risk for marasmus.

WAYS TO PREVENT MARASMUS

The best method to avoid marasmus is to have a suitable intake of calories and protein, if possible from a healthy, well-balanced diet.

Foods that contain high protein, such as skimmed milk, fish, eggs, and nuts are perfect for energy and growth, though any protein and food rich in calories can be used to avert marasmus, depending on what is presented.

Vegetables and fruits are important for giving other nutrients and minerals and for avoiding vitamin shortages. People can also take additional supplements, but they may be less operative than diets in giving nutrients.

A person who is healthier or is improving from marasmus should take maintenance to prevent complications, with dehydration and diarrhea.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN KWASHIORKOR AND MARASMUS

The differences between Kwashiorkor and Marasmus are:

• Kwashiorkor refers to a serious deficiency of proteins. Marasmus refers to a general deficiency in energy including proteins.
• Kwashiorkor is categorized by a two-sided exterior set against edema due to fluid retention and swollen abdomen. Marasmus is categorized by serious muscle worsening and loss of internal fat in the whole body.
• Symptoms of kwashiorkor include thinning of hair, dermatitis, loss of teeth, and depigmentation. Symptoms of marasmus include dehydration, total muscle loss, anemia, dry skin, and brittle hair.
• Kwashiorkor grows after 18 months of age in children. Marasmus occurs before 1 year of age of children.

CONCLUSION

Protein-energy undernutrition, which is also named protein-energy malnutrition, is a serious shortage of protein and calories in the body that results when people do not eat sufficient protein and calories for a long time. Kwashiorkor is a serious condition that can happen when a person does not consume enough protein. Serious protein absence can lead to fluid retention, which can make the abdomen look overstuffed.

Marasmus is suffered when the patient has a serious shortage of nutrients like calories, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. ‌It is mostly found in developing countries, like in some regions of Asia and Africa. Kwashiorkor grows after 18 months of age in children. Marasmus occurs before 1 year of age of children.