Poverty-stricken countries are notorious for widespread protein-calorie malnutrition, a fact often illustrated with photos of children who have stick-figure legs and arms with a distended, bloated belly. Such swelling is one obvious symptom of protein-calorie malnutrition, a potentially fatal condition that is the leading cause of death for children in poor, developing countries, according to Encyclopedia.com.
What It Is
Protein-calorie malnutrition, also known as protein-energy malnutrition or PEM, is a disorder characterized by the wasting away of the body due to insufficient amounts of protein, calories or a combination of both. Different types of protein-calorie malnutrition include primary, secondary and a form of protein-calorie malnutrition called kwashiorkor. Primary protein-calorie malnutrition comes from a protein deficiency, secondary protein-calorie malnutrition stems from a lack of protein and calories while kwashiorkor affects children and mainly involves a lack of protein. A disorder related to protein-calorie malnutrition known as marasmus, which also mainly affects children, involves a lack of calories and not necessarily insufficient protein.
What It Does
In addition to fluid retention that leads to swelling in the belly and other bodily tissues, protein-calorie malnutrition can result in depleted muscles and loss of muscle mass, weakness, changes in skin color, rashes, changes in hair color and texture, and diarrhea. Mental side effects include irritability, apathy, fatigue and lethargy. Because the immune system is affected, those suffering from protein-calorie malnutrition are more susceptible to infection and disease. Late stages of protein-calorie malnutrition can result in shock and, eventually, death.
Who Is At Risk
Children in developing countries are at the greatest risk for protein-calorie malnutrition and related disorders, although it does occur in the United States. Cases of kwashiorkor in the U.S. are frequently indicative of child abuse or neglect, notes the U.S. National Library of Medicine, although Encylopedia.com points out protein-calorie malnutrition can also be the result of an underlying health issue. It can develop in children and adults who suffer from chronic illnesses in which their bodies are unable to absorb nutrients, such as AIDS, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic kidney failure and cancer. The onset of protein-calorie malnutrition can happen quickly and suddenly in those who develop a severe medical condition or illness.
How to Treat and Prevent It
Restoring the body through proper nutrition is the first step in treatment, which also includes treating the condition that may have led to protein-calorie malnutrition in the first place. Because people suffering from severe protein-calorie malnutrition are often unable to eat at all, intravenous feeding can be an option, as can physical therapy to restore muscle mass. Ensuring children, especially, receive a well-balanced, nutritionally complete diet is the best mode of prevention, notes Encyclopedia.com. Breastfeeding newborns for their first six months reduces the risk of early malnutrition, as does consulting with a doctor before putting a child on a diet, especially low-carb, vegan or other restrictive eating programs.
Member Comments