Marasmus is a form of malnutrition. It happens when the intake of nutrients and energy is too low for a person's needs. It leads to wasting, or the loss of body fat and muscle. A child with marasmus may not grow as children usually do.
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.
In children with marasmus, the following can also occur:
chronic diarrhea
respiratory infections
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.
Kwashiorkor is another form of serious malnutrition. Kwashiorkor causes a buildup of fluid in the body that can cause the face to become round and the belly to become distended.
Causes of marasmus
Nutrient deficiency is the main cause of marasmus. It occurs in children that don’t ingest enough protein, calories, carbohydrates, and other important nutrients. This is usually due to poverty and a scarcity of food.
There are several types of malnutrition. A malnourished child may have something other than marasmus. Among the more common types of malnutrition are serious deficiencies in:
iron
iodine
zinc
vitamin A
Risk factors for 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.
Viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections can cause children to take in too few nutrients. Regions with high disease rates and insufficient medical care may also have other factors that reduce the chances of people having enough food to eat.
How is marasmus diagnosed?
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.
A lack of motion in a malnourished child may also help confirm a diagnosis of marasmus. Children with the condition tend to lack the energy or will to do anything.
Marasmus is difficult to diagnose using blood tests. This is because many children with marasmus also have infections that can affect blood test results.
Treatment
Healthy weight gain and growth can resume fairly quickly once a child with marasmus starts consuming more:
calories
protein
carbohydrates
other nutrients.
Prevention
The best way to prevent marasmus is to have an adequate intake of calories and protein, preferably from a healthful, well-balanced diet.
Foods rich in protein, such as skimmed milk, fish, eggs, and nuts are ideal for energy and growth, though any protein and calorie-rich food can be used to prevent marasmus, depending on what is available.
Vegetables and fruits are essential for providing other nutrients and minerals and for preventing vitamin deficiencies. People can also take supplements, but they may be less effective than foods in delivering nutrients.
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