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Marasmus is a disease that is a type of protein-energy malnutrition and is evidently seen in developing and underdeveloped countries of the globe. It is commonly observed in children aged between one to five (1 – 5 Years). It detorts the inner metabolic functions of the child making him/her vulnerable to survive. Different types of nutrition deficiency diseases can be found both in children and in adults. This nutrition deficiency disorder is referred to as Malnutrition. These deficiency diseases are mainly seen in developing countries, or in the areas with high rates of poverty, or individuals with poor knowledge about the nutrients in food, cleanliness, health, and hygiene. Let us understand Marasmus in detail and discuss some important questions.
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Key Takeaways: Malnutrition, Protein-energy Malnutrition, Nutrients, Balance Diet, Subcutaneous Fat, Marasmus, Kwashiorkor
What is Protein Energy Malnutrition?
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As the world is growing vastly the inequality is widening too resulting in a vast division in every sector of life. In the same manner the basic necessity, food is too divided in this manner resulting in heavy malnutrition, especially in under-developed and developing countries.
Protein-energy malnutrition is one of the categories of malnutrition that occurs mainly due to deficiency of protein, calories, and some amount of macronutrients. It hampers the metabolic functioning of the individual resulting in a weak and underdeveloped physique. It is generally seen in children between ages one to five years but in rare cases occurs in adults too.
In the wider scenario, there are two types of Protein Energy Malnutrition-
- Marasmus
- Kwashiorkor
Both of these starts with small effect and if not cured they are built within to make heavy consequences.
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What is Marasmus?
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Marasmus is one of the types of Protein Energy Malnutrition. It is a major concern of underdeveloped and developing economies where inequality is prevalent. Marasmus occurs in the initial stage of life especially due to lack of proper care in the intake of food.
Marasmus is defined as a disease that occurs as a result of minimal intake of nutrients and energy especially, protein and calories. This lack leads to deterioration of body fat and muscles paving a blockage in the growth of the child. It is evidently seen to deteriorate the subcutaneous fat, which is the fat that builds up muscles. It hinders the development and proper functioning of the organs and systems of the body.
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Symptoms of Marasmus
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As Marasmus is a kind of malnutrition main symptom of it is the loss in body fat and muscle tissue and other malnutritional effects. Marasmus though holds its own aspect it has some of its own specific symptoms too. Symptoms of marasmus are -
- Weight loss
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Measles
- Dizziness
- Respiratory infections
- Dry skin
- Bad immunity
- Lactose intolerance
- Stomach infections
- Low blood pressure
- Deterioration in brain functioning
- Hypothermia
- Slow heart rate
- Anemia
All these symptoms act to make the individual look thin and old than their age due to heavy loss in their physique. These aspects make the bones of a person visible and look as if no muscle is evident. Due to these effects, a person tends to become irritated and dull-minded in every aspect.
Also read: Difference between Fat Soluble and Water Soluble Vitamins
Causes of Marasmus
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Marasmus is a perilous disease and its major cause seems out to be the lack of basic amenities, that is nutritious food. As this disease is prominent in the lower economic countries its main reason is poverty. Other prominent causes of Marasmus are -
- Maternal malnutrition
- Maternal anemia
- Pathological conditions
- Pneumonia
- Heart diseases
- Malaria
- Anorexia nervosa
- Meningitis
- Scarcity of food
- Poverty
Prevention of Marasmus
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As it is known, prevention is better than cure. It becomes vital to prevent Marasmus which is a dangerous disease and prevalent all around the globe. Since marasmus, brings down all the body fats and the calories, it takes time to build up which has been detorted. Therefore, taking proper preventive measures are important, some are -
- Increase the intake of nutrient foods.
- Maintain a properly balanced diet.
- Increase the water intake.
- Maintain proper sanitation.
- Eat only fresh foods.
So, by seeing all the preventive factors, it becomes evident that knowledge of healthy eating habits is crucial in this aspect. When a child is born lactating mothers are needed to be educated about the nutritional values and their effects.
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Treatment of Marasmus
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Marasmus being a life-threatening disease can even be fatal for a person. So it is crucial to treat it with proper guidance and process.
- Multivitamins and other nutrient supplements to cut out the nutrient deficiency.
- Electrolytes and other water intakes to eradicate the dehydration effects.
- Antibiotics and other antibodies to remove pathogenic infections.
- Protein intake in form of milk, vegetables, pulses, meat, eggs, fish, etc., as the main reason of Marasmus, molds out to be protein deficiency.
Difference between Marasmus and Kwashiorkor
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Marasmus and kwashiorkor both are types of protein-energy malnutrition. It becomes confusing at times to differentiate between them both as the root of both is primarily similar.
When Marasmus is a disease that is caused due to deficiency of protein and calories, kwashiorkor is caused due to deficiency of only protein. On one side marasmus makes skin dry and sunken, kwashiorkor makes skin flaky in appearance.
Similarly, there are many differences between both. Some prominent differences between marasmus and kwashiorkor are -
| Sr. no | Marasmus | Kwashiorkor |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Causes due to deficiency of Protein and Calories. | Caused due to deficiency of Proteins |
| 2 | Subcutaneous fat is affected | Subcutaneous fat is not affected |
| 3 | It tends to chronic weight loss | Weight loss in it is not chronic |
| 4 | Thinning of limbs | Thinning of limbs and muscles to some extent |
| 5 | Makes skin dry and wrinkled | Makes skin flaky |
Points to Remember
- Marasmus is a type of protein-energy malnutrition. It is caused due to the deficiency of proteins and calories.
- Marasmus is majorly seen in underdeveloped and developing economies where poverty is prevalent in the major part of the area.
- This lack leads to deterioration of body fat and muscles paving a blockage in the growth of the child.
- Marasmus can be pointed out by seeing a skinny body, anemia, low blood pressure, aged look, etc.
- Marasmus is generally seen in children aged one to five years but in some cases, it is found in adults too.
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Sample Questions
Ques: What is Marasmus? (2 marks)
Ans: Marasmus is a type of protein-energy malnutrition. Marasmus is evidently seen in countries with low economies which are grasped with poverty and scarcity of food. It is caused due to deficiency of nutrients and energy especially protein and calories. Marasmus is majorly seen in children aged between one to five years, but at times in some scenarios is seen in adults too.
Ques: What do you mean by protein-energy malnutrition? (2 marks)
Ans: Malnutrition is one of the severe problems of the world. It is prevalent in every sphere but is especially seen in under-developed and developing countries with low economies. Malnutrition is primarily of various types among then protein-energy malnutrition is caused due to deficiency in protein, calories, and the number of macronutrients. In a wider scenario protein-energy, malnutrition is of two types – Marasmus and Kwashiorkor.
Ques: What do you mean by Subcutaneous fat? (2 marks)
Ans: Human body is made up of proteins, fat, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, and other components which are all total grouped as nutrients. Nutrients build up the body and make it fit to survive. Among them, fats are an important component, which is crucial in building muscles and other parts. Subcutaneous fat is a harmless fat and is one of the types of fat which is found under the skin. It is responsible to make muscles fit and enact.
Ques: Why in marasmus the person becomes thin? (2 marks)
Ans: Marasmus is a life-threatening disease. It is caused as a result of deficiency of protein and calories in a large amount. Marasmus is evidently responsible to deplete the subcutaneous fat making muscles thinner. This depletion makes the bones visible revealing the skin as thin and skinny. Therefore, due to marasmus, a person becomes thin.
Ques: What are the prevalent causes of Marasmus? (3 marks)
Ans: Marasmus is predominantly seen in under-developed and developing countries. It is a result of acute poverty and scarce food availability. As marasmus is predominantly caused due to lack of protein and calories, its prevalent causes are -
- Poverty and Low economic condition
- Lack of rich nutrient food supplements.
- Maternal malnutrition
- Anemia
- Pathological conditions
Ques: What are some home remedies to cure marasmus? (3 marks)
Ans: Marasmus is a type of protein-energy malnutrition which occurs due to a lack of calories and proteins. Its root starts from home as when the basic amenity that is, food lacks. Marasmus can be cured by home remedies in the initial stage. Its pace will be slow but the effect will come out. Some home remedies to cure marasmus are-
- Increase intake of food diet.
- Boiled and freshwater intake can be adopted.
- An increase in protein-rich foods can be opted for like – milk, pulses, meat, eggs, vegetables, etc.
Ques: State 3 major differences between Marasmus and Kwashiorkor? (3 marks)
Ans: Marasmus and Kwashiorkor are the two types of protein-energy malnutrition. The sole cause of both is primarily the same but even then they hold many differences as -
Marasmus is caused due to deficiency of protein and calories whereas Kwashiorkor is caused due to deficiency of only protein.
Marasmus makes the body thin and skinny whereas kwashiorkor makes the body bloated and less skinny than marasmus.
Marasmus makes skin wrinkled whereas kwashiorkor makes skin flaky.
Ques: State 5 major symptoms of marasmus. (3 marks)
Ans: Marasmus is a type of malnutrition that is primarily caused due to lack of calories and proteins. There are various symptoms of marasmus which when caught at right time can cause its prevention from it. Five major symptoms of marasmus are -
- Anemia
- Weight loss
- Pathological disease
- Wrinkled and skinny body structure
- Low blood pressure
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