1-Nutritional pathology Flashcards
nutrition and vitamins
What is the study of nutrition?
The study of nutrients in food, how the body uses nutrients, and the relationship between diet, health, and disease
What should a healthy diet contain?
A healthy diet should contain a sufficient energy source, essential and non-essential amino and fatty acids, and vitamins and minerals.
What is malnutrition?
Malnutrition is the deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in a person’s intake of energy and/or nutrients.
What are the three broad groups of conditions included in malnutrition?
Undernutrition (wasting, stunting, underweight,
micronutrient malnutrition (deficiencies in vitamins and minerals)
overweight, obesity and diet-related noncommunicable diseases (cardiovascular disease, diabetes)
What is “hidden hunger”?
“Hidden hunger” is the lack of one or more essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin A, iron, iodine, and zinc.
What is primary malnutrition?
Primary malnutrition occurs when one or all components of a healthy diet are missing.
What is secondary malnutrition?
Secondary malnutrition occurs when nutrient supply is adequate, but malnutrition is caused by malabsorption, impaired nutrient use/storage, excess nutrient losses, or increased need for nutrients.
What are common causes of undernutrition?
Ignorance, poverty, chronic alcoholism (deficiency in thiamine, pyridoxine, folate, and vitamin A), acute and chronic illness, and self-imposed dietary restrictions (anorexia and bulimia).
What causes Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM)?
SAM is caused by insufficient energy (kilocalories), fat, protein, and/or other nutrients to cover individual needs.
What are the complications associated with SAM?
Complications include respiratory infections, severe anemia, diarrhea, and dehydration.
What is marasmus?
Marasmus is malnutrition caused by a severe reduction in calorie intake, leading to growth retardation and decreased muscle mass, with more than 60% reduction in body weight adjusted for height and gender.
What is kwashiorkor?
Kwashiorkor is a condition where protein deficiency is relatively greater than the reduction in total calories, often resulting from an exclusive carbohydrate diet. It is more severe than marasmus and is characterized by 60-80% of normal weight, masked by fluid retention (oedema).
What are the differences between kwashiorkor and marasmus?
Growth Failure: Both have growth failure.
Wasting: Both have wasting, but it’s more severe in marasmus.
Oedema: Present in kwashiorkor, absent in marasmus.
Hair Changes: Common in kwashiorkor, less common in marasmus.
Mental Changes: Very common in kwashiorkor, uncommon in marasmus.
Skin Changes (Dermatosis): Common in kwashiorkor, absent in marasmus.
Appetite: Poor in kwashiorkor, good in marasmus.
Anaemia: Severe in kwashiorkor (sometimes), less severe in marasmus.
Subcutaneous Fat: Reduced but present in kwashiorkor, absent in marasmus.
Face Appearance: Oedematose in kwashiorkor, drawn in and monkey-like in marasmus.
Liver Fat: Present in kwashiorkor, absent in marasmus.
