Low protein may be caused by lack of protein in the diet or by not eating enough food, because without sufficient calories and carbohydrates, the body will break down proteins to use for energy. A protein deficiency may also occur when nutrients are not properly absorbed, or when illness disrupts metabolism. No matter what the cause, low protein may result in disease.
Protein's Role
Made of long chains of amino acids, proteins are essential in every cell in the body. They form the structural framework of hair and collagen, function as hormones and antibodies, regulate processes such as blood sugar, help muscles contract, transport substances such as oxygen and nutrients, and serve as the enzymes that are essential to biochemical reactions. A deficiency in protein may impact the rebuilding and maintenance of tissues throughout the body.
Protein C and Protein S Deficiencies
Protein C and protein S deficiencies are inherited disorders. These proteins are needed to prevent blood clots, so people with protein C or S deficiency are at a higher risk of developing blood clots. Symptoms of a blood clot include pain, redness or swelling in the area where the clot occurs. Protein C or protein S deficiency increases the chance of stroke during childhood and pulmonary embolism.
Protein-Energy Malnutrition
Protein-energy malnutrition refers to a cluster of illnesses that result when children do not consume enough protein. Secondary PEM may occur when they have an illness that interferes with their ability to absorb nutrients, such as AIDS, cancer, chronic kidney disease or inflammatory bowel disease. One of the first signs of PEM is edema, or a build-up of fluid because low protein levels in the blood allow fluid that normally stays in blood vessels and around cells to leak into surrounding tissue. Edema occurs most often in the abdomen, face or hands.
Kwashiorkor
Kwashiorkor is a form of protein malnutrition that typically appears when breast-feeding is stopped, but it may develop at any time during childhood. It occurs more frequently in parts of the world where children are weaned from breast-feeding with foods that provide enough calories through carbohydrates but are low in protein, according to the Merck Manual. General symptoms of kwashiorkor include weakness, slow heart rate, wrinkled skin, dry hair and low blood pressure or body temperature. Children with kwashiorkor usually have extremely thin arms and legs with an abdomen that's distended from a build-up of fluid.
Marasmus
Marasmus is caused by a deficiency of protein and calories. Children with marasmus lose their body fat and muscle strength, suffer from frequent infections and have discolored hair, but they do not have the fluid build-up and extended abdomen typically found in kwashiorkor.
Member Comments