Marasmus
Severe malnutrition in children caused by a diet lacking in calories as well as protein. Marasmus may also be caused by disease and parasitic infection.
Chronic wasting of body muscle, tissues and fats, especially in young children, commonly due to prolonged dietary deficiency of protein and calories. Also called athrepsia. Signs: Very thin, no fat looks like skin and bones. General symptoms:
To look for visible severe wasting: |
- Remove child’s clothes
- Lift the child and look for severe wasting of muscles of the shoulders, arms, buttocks, and legs.
- Look if the outline of the child’s ribs is easily seen
- Look at the child’s hips, which may look small when you compare them with the chest and abdomen.
- Look at the child from side to side to see if the fat of the buttocks is missing.
When wasting is extreme, there are many folds of skin in the buttocks and thigh. It looks as if the child is wearing baggy pants.
The face of a child with visible severe wasting may still look normal. The child’s abdomen may be large or distended.
COMPARISON OF THE FEATURES OF KWASHIORKOR AND MARASMUS