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Marasmus
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Notes

Biochemistry and nutrition

Nutrition

Carbohydrates, fat and protein
Carbohydrates and sugars
Fats and lipids
Proteins
Nutritional disorders
Vitamin K deficiency
Vitamin D deficiency
Excess Vitamin A
Excess Vitamin D
Folate (Vitamin B9) deficiency
Niacin (Vitamin B3) deficiency
Vitamin B12 deficiency
Vitamin C deficiency
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
Beriberi
Iodine deficiency
Zinc deficiency
Marasmus
Kwashiorkor
Fat-soluble vitamin deficiency and toxicity: Pathology review
Zinc deficiency and protein-energy malnutrition: Pathology review
Water-soluble vitamin deficiency and toxicity: B1-B7: Pathology review

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Marasmus

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High Yield Notes
4 pages
Flashcards

Marasmus

9 flashcards
Questions

USMLE® Step 1 style questions USMLE

1 questions
Preview

 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? 

External References
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.