Malabsorption And Malnutrition Flashcards
What is malnutrition?
Insufficient dietary intake to meet metabolic requirements.
What is malabsorption?
Disorder of digestive tract which results in an inability to utilise a nutrient.
What are the macronutrients?
Carbohydrates, fats and proteins.
What is protein energy malnutrition?
Common childhood disorder characterised by stunting height and deficiency of energy and nutrients. A subtype of this is Kwashiorkor.
What is Kwashiorkor?
Insufficient dietary intake of protein which leads to childhood stunted growth. There are characteristic features like distended belly, round face and swelling of legs and feet
What is Marasmus?
Insufficient caloric intake with deficiency of all macronutrients that leads to wasting, with loss of body fat and muscle causing anorexic appearance.
What is anorexia?
Suppression of appetite which indicates:
Malignancy due to cytokine release
Infection with TB or AIDs
Anorexia nervosa: mental behavioural condition
What are the causes of malnutrition?
Anorexia
Increased metabolic demand
Dysphagia
Neglect
Why does increased metabolic demand occur?
Thyrotoxicosis which leads to hyperthyroidism, causing weight loss, tremors and irregular heartbeat.
What are causes of neglect?
Neurological issues
Elderly ‘tea and toast’ syndrome where they restrict food intake due to financial or physical issues with food preparation
What are the consequences of iron deficiency?
Microcytic hyperchromatic anaemia- this typically occurs in vegans/vegetarians or menstruating women.
What are the consequences of Vitamin B6 deficiency?
Neuropathy
What are the consequences of Vitamin B1 deficiency?
Cardiomyopathy and Encephalopathy
What are the consequences of Vitamin B2 deficiency?
Stomatitis: this is inflammation of the oral mucosa that leads to pain and difficulty talking.
What are the consequences of folic acid deficiency?
Megaloblastic anaemia and spinal defects in pregnancy.
What are the consequences of Vitamin D deficiency?
Bone osteomalacia which is common in India and those unexposed to UV.
What are the consequences of Vitamin B12 deficiency?
Megaloblastic anaemia
Ataxia
Dementia
Neuropathy
Subacute combined degeneration of spinal cord
What is the consequence of Vitamin C deficiency?
Scurvy
What is the consequence of Vitamin K deficiency?
Coagulopathy.
How are simple carbohydrate metabolism occur?
Begins in the mouth with the action of salivary amylase. In the descending duodenum, the hepatopancreatic ampulla allows entry of pancreatic amylase to break down carbohydrates further, and bicarbonate secretions reduce levels of gastric acid.
How does complex carbohydrate metabolism occur?
Brush border enzymes on the enterocytes are a-dextrose, maltase, lactase and sucrase cause the breakdown of oligosaccharides and disaccharides into glucose, fructose and lactose which are taken up by the portal vein to the liver.
What is the location of protein absorption?
Duodenum and jejunum.