Marasmus
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Marasmus
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A 3-year-old boy in a refugee camp is brought to a volunteer clinic in sub-Saharan Africa with failure to thrive. His mother states he has been small since birth and has never seen a doctor. Height and weight are at the 5th percentile. On physical exam, he is very lethargic and severely emaciated with redundant skin folds. He is noted to have little subcutaneous fat. He is admitted for supportive treatment. Which of the following best describes the pathophysiology of this patient’s condition?
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First Aid
2024
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2021
Marasmus p. 69
Summary
Marasmus is a form of severe malnutrition characterized by energy deficiency. It is typically characterized by muscle wasting, fat depletion, and impaired function of the organs. Infants and young children are at the highest risk for developing marasmus, as they require an adequate intake of protein and other nutrients to grow and develop properly.
Marasmus is different from kwashiorkor in that kwashiorkor is protein deficiency with adequate energy intake, whereas marasmus is inadequate energy intake in all forms, including protein.