Characteristic Features of Marasmus and Kwashiorkor Flashcards
Malnutrition, Definition, Causes, and Consequences
maramus - age
children less than 2 y/o
kwashiorkor - age
IYC 1-3 y/o
kwashiorkor - main cause
occurs after breastfeeding stops and child is weaned into a starchy diet
marasmus - main cause
inadequate breastfeeding or diluted milk formula
essential features of marasmus and kwashiorkor
edema, wasting, muscle wasting, growth retardation in terms of body wt., mental changes
marasmus - edema
none
kwashiorkor - edema
lower legs, sometimes face, or generalized (most distinguished features)
marasmus - wasting
gross loss of subcutaneous fat, all skin and bones (most distinguished features)
kwashiorkor - wasting
less obvious; sometimes fat, blubbery
marasmus - muscle wasting
severe (most distinguished features)
kwashiorkor - muscle wasting
marasmus - appetite
usually good
kwashiorkor - growth retardation in terms of body wt.
less than in marasmus
marasmus - growth retardation in terms of body wt.
severe
kwashiorkor - muscle wasting
sometimes
kwashiorkor - mental changes
usually irritable, moaning apathetic
marasmus - mental changes
usually apathetic, quiet
marasmus - hair changes
texture may be modified but usually no dyspigmentation
variable features of marasmus and kwashiorkor
appetite, diarrhea, skin changes, hair changes, moon face, hepatic enlargement
marasmus - diarrhea
often (past or present)
kwashiorkor - appetite
usually poor
marasmus - skin changes
usually none
kwashiorkor - skin changes
often, diffuse pigmentation; occasional, “flaky paint”, or “enamel” dermatosis
kwashiorkor - diarrhea
often (past or present)
marasmus - moon face
none
kwashiorkor - moon face
often
kwashiorkor - hair changes
often sparse - straight and silky, dyspigmentation - grayish or reddish
marasmus - hepatic enlargement
none
kwashiorkor - hepatic enlargement
frequent, although it is not observed in some areas
biochemistry pathology of marasmus and kwashiorkor
serum albumin, urinary urea per g of creatinine, urinary hydroxyproline index, serum-free amino acid ration, anemia, liver biopsy
marasmus - serum albumin
normal or slightly decreased
kwashiorkor - serum albumin
low (most useful distinguishing features)
marasmus - urinary urea per g of creatinine
normal or decreased
kwashiorkor - urinary urea per g of creatinine
low (most useful distinguishing features)
marasmus - urinary hydroxyproline index
normal
kwashiorkor - urinary hydroxyproline index
low
marasmus - anemia
may be observed
kwashiorkor - anemia
common, iron and folate deficiency may be associated
kwashiorkor - liver biopsy
fatty infiltration (most useful distinguishing features)
marasmus - liver biopsy
normal or atrophic (most useful distinguishing features)
