Occurring in meats, poultry, fish, grains, legumes and vegetables, protein is necessary for growth, cellular health, blood cell production, creating enzymes and providing energy. Accordingly, protein deficiencies come with several health complications. However, protein deficiencies are rare in developed countries, even among those with diets that don't include animal protein. They occur far more frequently in developing countries or in isolated instances of overall malnutrition or starvation.
Protein-Energy Malnutrition
Protein-energy malnutrition most often occurs in young children ages 5 and younger, according to "The Management of Nutrition in Major Emergencies." The condition results from malnutrition related to insufficient diet, starvation or other affliction that causes a loss of appetite while increasing the body's nutrient expenditure. Protein-energy malnutrition causes growth as well as mental retardation; reduced immunity and death. If left untreated, protein-energy malnutrition can develop into diseases of greater severity.
Kwashiorkor
Kwashiorkor is an advanced form of protein-energy malnutrition. It is a Ghanian word that means "evil spirit that infects the first child when the second child is born," according to Paul Insel, et al. This is because when a second child is born while an older child is still nursing, the older child is weaned and placed on a diet that reflects the family's diet, which often lacks in nutrition. Symptoms include swelling in the feet and legs, edema, diarrhea, decreased muscle mass, fatigue, irritability, lethargy, shock, swelling and a bloated belly. Kwashiorkor causes severely reduced immunity, low weight and height; skin sores; dry, flaky skin; loss of skin and hair pigmentation.
Marasmus
Marasmus means "withering" or "wasting away" in Greek, according to Insel, et al. This is because the primary characteristic of marasmus is the body begins to consume itself in the complete absence of protein. This results in deteriorated muscle, organ and heart tissue. Growth stops, metabolism slows and body temperature drops to conserve energy. Skin will appear loose akin to clothes that are too large. Marasmus most often occurs in starving infants, but can result from cancer or anorexia nervosa in adults.
References
- Medline Plus: Kwashiorkor
- "The Management of Nutrition in Major Emergencies"; World Health Organization; 2000
- "Nutrition"; Paul Insel, Don Ross, Kimberly McMahon and Melissa Bernstein; 2010
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