Malnutrition

Question 1

What is malnutrition?

Answer 1

A sudden or chronic decrease in nutritional intake affecting growth, healing, and life maintenance.

Malnutrition can manifest as acute or chronic, each with distinct characteristics.

Question 2

Define acute malnutrition.

Answer 2

A brief period of inadequate nutrition most often relating to an acute illness with high inflammatory state, resulting in muscle wasting and rapid weight loss.

Acute malnutrition is often linked to immediate health crises.

Question 3

What characterizes chronic malnutrition?

Answer 3

Inadequate nutrition lasting more than 3 months, often secondary to social, behavioural, and economic factors in addition to illness-related causes.

Chronic malnutrition can lead to long-term health issues.

Question 4

List the main reasons for malnourishment.

Answer 4

• Inadequate amounts of nutrients (e.g. poor diet)
• Difficulty absorbing nutrients (e.g. GI dysfunction - coeliac disease)
• Increased nutritional demands (e.g. post-surgery for healing)

These factors can vary widely among individuals.

Question 5

What are some clinical features of malnutrition?

Answer 5

• High susceptibility or prolonged infections
• Slow or poor wound healing
• Altered vital signs - bradycardia, hypotension
• Depleted subcutaneous fat
• Low skeletal muscle mass
• In children: wasting, stunting, underweight

Clinical features can vary based on age and severity of malnutrition.

Question 6

Fill in the blank: Wasting in children refers to _______.

Answer 6

low weight for age

Wasting is a critical indicator of acute malnutrition.

Question 7

Fill in the blank: Stunting in children refers to _______.

Answer 7

low height for age

Stunting is a long-term consequence of chronic malnutrition.

Question 8

What are the methods of feeding for malnourished patients with safe swallow?

Answer 8

• High-energy-high-protein supplements
• Fortified food products

These methods aim to enhance nutritional intake safely.

Question 9

What are the methods of feeding for malnourished patients with unsafe swallow?

Answer 9

• NG feeding (short-term)
• Gastrostomy (PEG) or jejunostomy (long-term)

These methods are used when oral intake is not possible.

Question 10

What is parenteral nutrition used for?

Answer 10

Intestinal failure.

Parenteral nutrition provides nutrients directly into the bloodstream.

Question 11

What is refeeding syndrome?

Answer 11

A potentially dangerous condition that can occur when feeding is restarted in individuals who are malnourished.

It can lead to serious electrolyte imbalances.

Question 12

List two complications associated with refeeding syndrome.

Answer 12

• Hypokalaemia
• Hypophosphataemia

These complications arise due to rapid changes in metabolism during refeeding.