Marasmus Health Dictionary

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Marasmus: From 4 Different Sources

A severe form of protein and calorie malnutrition that usually occurs in famine or semi-starvation conditions. Marasmus is common in young children in developing countries. The disorder causes stunted growth, emaciation, and loose folds of skin on the limbs and buttocks due to loss of muscle and fat. Other signs include sparse, brittle hair; diarrhoea; and dehydration.

Treatment includes keeping the child warm and giving a high-energy, proteinrich diet. Persistent marasmus can cause mental handicap and impaired growth. (See also kwashiorkor.)

Health Source: BMA Medical Dictionary
Author: The British Medical Association
Progressive wasting, especially in young children, when there is no ascertainable cause. It is generally associated with defective feeding. (See also ATROPHY; INFANT FEEDING.)
Health Source: Medical Dictionary
Author: Health Dictionary
n. mixed deficiency of both protein and calories, resulting in severe wasting in infants. Body weight is below 60% of that expected for age, the infant looks ‘old’, has thin sparse hair, is pallid and apathetic, lacks skin fat, and has subnormal temperature. The condition may be due to *malabsorption, wrong feeding, metabolic disorders, repeated vomiting, diarrhoea, severe disease of the heart, lungs, kidneys, or urinary tract, or chronic bacterial or parasitic disease (especially in tropical climates). Maternal rejection of an infant may cause marasmus through undereating. Acute infection may precipitate death. Treatment depends on the underlying cause, but initially very gentle nursing and the provision of nourishment and fluids by gradual steps is appropriate for all.
Health Source: Oxford | Concise Colour Medical Dictionary
Author: Jonathan Law, Elizabeth Martin

Nutritional Disorders

Nutritional disorders may be caused by a deficiency or excess of one or more nutrients, or by the presence of a toxin (poisonous element) in the diet.

A diet deficient in carbohydrates is almost inevitably also deficient in protein, leading to the development of protein–calorie malnutrition. Such malnutrition is most often seen as a result of severe poverty and famine (see kwashiorkor; marasmus).

Deficiency of specific nutrients is commonly associated with a disorder of the digestive system, such as coeliac disease, Crohn’s disease, or pernicious anaemia (see anaemia, megaloblastic).

Inadequate intake of protein and calories may also occur in people who excessively restrict their diet to lose weight (see anorexia nervosa), hold mistaken beliefs about diet and health (see food fad), or suffer from a loss of interest in food associated with alcohol dependence or drug dependence.Obesity results from taking in more energy from the diet than is used up by the body. Nutritional disorders may also result from an excessive intake of minerals and vitamins. An excessive intake of saturated fat is thought to be a contributory factor in coronary artery disease and in some forms of cancer.

Naturally occurring toxins can interfere with the digestion, absorption, and/or utilization of nutrients, or can cause specific disorders due to their toxic effects: for example, the ergot fungus found on rye can cause ergotism.... nutritional disorders


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