what are the signs of marasmus

The symptoms of marasmus include:

• weight loss
• dehydration
• chronic diarrhea
• stomach shrinkage

Full Answer

What are the symptoms of marasmus in children?

The main symptom of marasmus is being underweight. Children with this condition have lost a lot of muscle mass and subcutaneous fat. Subcutaneous fat is the layer of fat just under the skin. Dry skin and brittle hair are also symptoms of marasmus. In children with marasmus, the following can also occur:

What are the signs and symptoms of marasmus and dry skin?

Dry skin and brittle hair are also symptoms of marasmus. What are the signs and symptoms of kwashiorkor and marasmus? The symptoms of kwashiorkor include: edema, or puffy or swollen appearance due to fluid retention.

Is marasmus life-threatening?

Marasmus can be life-threatening, but you can get treatment for it. The main symptom of marasmus is being underweight. Children with this condition have lost a lot of muscle mass and subcutaneous fat. Subcutaneous fat is the layer of fat just under the skin. Dry skin and brittle hair are also symptoms of marasmus.

What are the symptoms of Kwashiorkor Marasmus?

Kwashiorkor Marasmus symptoms Kwashiorkor symptoms weight loss an inability to grow or gain weight dehydration edema, or swelling of the hands and feet stomach shrinkage stomach bulging diarrhea

What is marasmus and its symptoms?

Marasmus is a deficiency of all macronutrients: carbohydrates, fats, and protein. If you have marasmus, you lack the fuel necessary to maintain normal body functions. People with marasmus are visibly depleted, severely underweight and emaciated. Children may be stunted in size and development.

What is the main cause of marasmus?

Marasmus always results from a negative energy balance. The imbalance can result from a decreased energy intake, an increased loss of ingested calories (eg, emesis, diarrhea, burns), an increased energy expenditure, or combinations of these factors, such as is observed in acute or chronic diseases.

Which of the following is a typical symptom of marasmus?

Symptoms of marasmus The main symptom of marasmus is being underweight. Children with this condition have lost a lot of muscle mass and subcutaneous fat. Subcutaneous fat is the layer of fat just under the skin. Dry skin and brittle hair are also symptoms of marasmus.

What are the signs and symptoms of marasmus and kwashiorkor?

KwashiorkorMarasmus symptomsKwashiorkor symptomsweight lossan inability to grow or gain weightdehydrationedema, or swelling of the hands and feetstomach shrinkagestomach bulgingdiarrhea

What are the complications of marasmus?

Diarrhea, measles, or a respiratory infection are serious complications that can be fatal in a child with marasmus. Diarrhea can also be a contributing cause of marasmus. Other complications include bradycardia, hypotension, and hypothermia.

What is the prognosis for marasmus?

Protein wasting in kwashiorkor generally leads to edema and ascites, while muscular wasting and loss of subcutaneous fat are the main clinical signs of marasmus. The prognosis is better than it is for kwashiorkor but half of severely malnourished children die due to unavailability of adequate treatment.

What is the treatment of marasmus?

Treatment for Marasmus Multivitamin supplements to improve appetite and nutrition deficiency. Dehydration symptoms can be prevented by the intake of water and other fluids that contain electrolytes. Few antibiotics or other medications are given to treat children with pathogenic infections.

What is the difference between kwashiorkor and marasmus?

Marasmus is severe malnutrition characterized by energy deficiency. Kwashiorkor is a protein deficiency disorder with adequate energy intake, whereas Marasmus is inadequate energy intake including proteins.

What change in body function will occur in a child with marasmus?

Marasmus is a severe manifestation of protein-energy malnutrition. It occurs as a result of total calorie insufficiency. This leads to overt loss of adipose tissue and muscle. The child may have a weight-for-height value that is more than 3 standard deviations below the average for age or sex.

What are the 5 causes of kwashiorkor?

The main cause of kwashiorkor is not eating enough protein or other essential vitamins and minerals. It's most common in developing countries with a limited food supply, poor hygiene, and a lack of education about the importance of giving babies and children an adequate diet.

What are the main causes of malnutrition?

Malnutrition, at its core, is a dietary deficiency that results in poor health conditions....Here, we breakdown four major factors that contribute to malnutrition in children:Poor qualify of diet.Poor maternal health.Socioeconomic status.War and conflict.

What causes marasmus and kwashiorkor?

‌Like marasmus, kwashiorkor is a type of malnutrition caused by protein deficiency. It mainly occurs in children who are weaning off breast milk, while marasmus can develop in infants. If your diet has a lot of carbohydrates and very little proteins, you may develop kwashiorkor.

What is the cause of kwashiorkor?

What causes kwashiorkor? The main cause of kwashiorkor is not eating enough protein or other essential vitamins and minerals. It's most common in developing countries with a limited food supply, poor hygiene, and a lack of education about the importance of giving babies and children an adequate diet.

What are the causes of marasmus Class 11?

Marasmus disease is caused due to vitamin deficiency. It usually occurs when a person's diet does not contain all the vitamins and nutrients that the body needs to function. It involves wasting of body tissues, mainly muscles, and subcutaneous fat and it resulted in severe restrictions in energy intake.

What are the symptoms of marasmus?

Symptoms of marasmus. The main symptom of marasmus is being underweight. Children with this condition have lost a lot of muscle mass and subcutaneous fat. Subcutaneous fat is the layer of fat just under the skin. Dry skin and brittle hair are also symptoms of marasmus.

How to diagnose marasmus?

A doctor can often make a preliminary diagnosis of marasmus through a physical exam. Measurements, such as height and weight, can help determine whether a child has marasmus. When those measurements are well below the measurements that a healthy child of a particular age should have, marasmus may be the cause.

Why is marasmus difficult to diagnose?

Marasmus is difficult to diagnose using blood tests. This is because many children with marasmus also have infections that can affect blood test results.

What are the symptoms of kwashiorkor?

intellectual disability. stunted growth. Seriously malnourished children may look older and have little to no energy or enthusiasm for anything. Marasmus can also make children short-tempered and irritable, but this is usually a more common symptom of kwashiorkor.

What is the treatment for marasmus?

Initial treatment of marasmus often includes dried skim milk powder mixed with boiled water. Later, the mixture can also include a vegetable oil such as sesame, casein, and sugar. Casein is milk protein. The oil increases the energy content and density of the mixture.

What can relief workers do to help children with marasmus?

With proper nutrition and medical care, the outlook can be a positive one. Relief workers can provide food and healthcare to regions where marasmus and other malnutrition problems are common. The best outcomes occur when a child’s parents or guardians know about the importance of nutrition and how to prepare foods properly.

What are the risks of marasmus?

Growing up in a developing country is a risk factor for marasmus. Areas that have famines or high rates of poverty have higher percentages of children with marasmus. Nursing mothers may be unable to produce enough breast milk due to malnutrition. This affects their babies.

What is the primary symptom of marasmus?

The primary symptom of marasmus is an acute loss of body fat and muscle tissues, leading to an unusually low body mass index ( BMI ). Marasmus is a type of wasting. In a child, the main symptom of marasmus is a failure to grow, known as stunted growth.

What are the long term effects of marasmus?

dry skin. brittle hair. Apart from weight loss, long-term effects of marasmus in children include slow growth and repeated infections. Diarrhea, measles, or a respiratory infection are serious complications that can be fatal in a child with marasmus. Diarrhea can also be a contributing cause of marasmus.

Why does marasmus not grow?

It leads to wasting, or the loss of body fat and muscle. A child with marasmus may not grow as children usually do. Malnutrition happens when a lack of nutrients causes health problems, usually because a person’s diet does not contain all ...

How much weight can a child with marasmus kwashiorkor lose?

In children with marasmus kwashiorkor, the weight will be less than 60 percent of the standard weight for their age. Immediate medical treatment is essential. As the condition progresses, recovery becomes more difficult, and the chances of survival reduce.

Why is marasmus so hard to recover?

Poor sanitation and hygiene can lead to infections that can worsen the symptoms of marasmus and other types of malnutrition and make it harder to recover.

What is the name of the condition where the body retains fluid in the lower legs, feet, arms, and hands?

Kwashiorkor. Kwashiorkor is another severe form of protein-energy malnutrition where the main deficiency is protein. Severe cases of malnutrition can lead to kwashiorkor. Unlike marasmus, kwashiorkor causes the body to retain fluid in the lower legs, feet, arms, hands, and face, leading to a swollen appearance.

Why do some people develop marasmus?

According to the FAO, it remains unclear why some people develop marasmus, and others develop kwashiorkor.

What are the symptoms of marasmus?

The most common symptom of marasmus is being underweight due to malnourishment. The following symptoms can occur due to deficiency, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, or infection if marasmus remains untreated for a long time:‌. Weight loss. Stunted growth.

How to tell if you have marasmus?

Severe protein and calorie deficiency in children can result in loss of fat and muscle mass. The most common symptom of marasmus is being underweight due to malnourishment. The following symptoms can occur due to deficiency, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, or infection if marasmus remains untreated for a long time:‌ 1 Weight loss 2 Stunted growth 3 Dry skin and eyes 4 Brittle hair 5 Diarrhea 6 Lower immunity 7 Stomach infection and lactose intolerance 8 Respiratory infections 9 Rickets due to calcium and vitamin D deficiency 10 Anemia due to iron deficiency 11 Impaired brain function and intellectual disability 12 Low blood pressure or hypotension 13 Low body temperature or hypothermia 14 Slow heart rate or bradycardia

How to tell if a child has marasmus or kwashiorkor?

Doctors can differentiate kwashiorkor from marasmus by the presence of edema or swelling. But some children may show symptoms of both. This is known as marasmic kwashiorkor.

Why do people get marasmus?

You can get marasmus if you have a severe deficiency of nutrients like calories, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. ‌. It is more common in developing countries, like in some areas of Asia and Africa. People in these nations are prone to having poor access to food, making it difficult to get enough nutrients.

Why do children have marasmus?

A lack of food and nutrients can cause both the body and mind to suffer. Children with severe marasmus tend to appear tired and bored. They are always low in energy and enthusiasm. Such children are often irritable, short-tempered, and uninterested in things. This symptom can be confused as a sign of kwashiorkor, which is another type of malnutrition.

What causes marasmus in children?

This can lead to a low intake of essential nutrients in infected children and adults. Diseases such as HIV/AIDS and malaria in rural areas can cause marasmus.

What are the risks of marasmus?

If you have a poor diet that lacks essential nutrients, you may be at risk of developing marasmus. ‌. Food shortages. Marasmus is more common in developing countries that have high poverty and lack of food. These regions also have frequent famines and natural disasters, resulting in food shortages.

What are the symptoms of marasmus?

The symptoms of marasmus are more common to the symptoms of kwashiorkor, which includes: Weight loss. Dehydration. Stunted growth. Chronic Diarrhoea. Shrinkage of Stomach. Respiratory infections. Dry skin and brittle hair.

How to treat marasmus?

Treatment for Marasmus. The first and primary treatment prescribed for the patient suffering from marasmus includes: Multivitamin supplements to improve appetite and nutrition deficiency. Dehydration symptoms can be prevented by the intake of water and other fluids that contain electrolytes.

How long does it take to recover from Marasmus?

Complete recovery can take a month together even with proper diet and medication.

What is the disease of Marasmus?

Marasmus. There are different types of nutrition deficiency diseases which occur both in children and in adults. This nutrition deficiency disorder is also called as the Malnutrition. The deficiency diseases are mainly seen in developing countries, areas with high rates of poverty or individuals who have very poor knowledge about ...

Why do people get marasmus?

Other causes of marasmus include: Poverty. Starvation. Famine or unavailability of food. Lack of education about nutritional requirements.

Why are people living in developing countries at risk of contracting marasmus?

The people living in developing countries are more at risk of contracting marasmus. The famine and poverty struck areas have a larger percentage of children suffering from marasmus. If the infants are not breastfed by nursing mothers due to malnutrition, the risk of marasmus increases in children.

What are the symptoms of marasmus?

Signs and symptoms of marasmus vary with the importance and duration of the energy deficit, age at onset, associated infections and associated nutritional deficiencies. Diets and deficiencies may vary considerably between different geographical regions and even within a country. The AIDS epidemic and the growing number of orphans has also significantly changed the clinical course of classic marasmus. Failure to thrive is the earliest manifestation, associated with irritability of apathy. Chronic diarrhea is the most frequent symptom and infants generally present with feeding difficulties.

Why is marasmus a malnutrition?

Therefore any nutrient deficiency can lead to marasmus because appropriate growth can only be ensured by a balanced diet. Therefore, marasmus can be described as multiple-deficiency malnutrition.

What is a shrunken wasted appearance?

A shrunken wasted appearance is the classic presentation. Stunted children are usually considered to have milder chronic form of malnutrition, but their condition can rapidly worsen with the onset of complications such as diarrhea, respiratory infection, or measles.

Is marasmus an acute condition?

This overview of marasmus is limited to reviewing marasmus from an insufficient nutritional intake as observed under impaired socioeconomic conditions, such as those present in developing countries. This condition is most frequently associated with acute conditions (eg. Gastroenteritis) or chronic conditions ( eg. Tuberculosis, HIV infection).

What is marasmus in children?

Marasmus occurs more often in young children and babies. It leads to dehydration and weight loss. Starvation is a form of this disorder. The symptoms of marasmus include: You’re at an increased risk for marasmus if you live in a rural area where it’s difficult to get food or an area that has a food shortage.

What causes marasmus and kwashiorkor?

Causes of marasmus and kwashiorkor. The main cause of both of these conditions is a lack of access to food. Some things that may affect a person’s access to food include: famine. a caregiver’s inability to get food due to lack of transportation or a physical inability. living in poverty.

Can you get marasmus from a rural area?

You’re at an increased risk for marasmus if you live in a rural area where it’s difficult to get food or an area that has a food shortage. Babies, including babies who aren’t breast-fed, young children, or older adults also have an increased risk for marasmus.

Marasmic Kwashiorkor

The body weight is less than 60% of the normal. Dependent edema is present. Mental changes, skin and hair changes and hepatomegaly are evident.

Clinical Presentations

In this condition, features of marasmus and kwashiorkor are present simultaneously. The body weight is less than 60% of the normal. Dependent edema is present. Mental changes, skin and hair changes and hepatomegaly are evident.

Treatment

Treatment is aimed to supply a diet rich in calories, proteins and other essential nutrients. For success of treatment supplementation should be with natural foods available locally. 150 Kcal/Kg of energy and 3.3g/Kg of proteins are optimally required for catch-up growth.