The World Health Organization defines severe malnutrition as "a very low weight for height, by visible severe wasting, or by the presence of nutritional oedema." More simply, malnutrition occurs when there is a significant disparity between the amount of food and nutrients the body needs and the amount of food and nutrients the body is actually receiving. Severe malnutrition is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical treatment.
General Types
Occasionally, malnutrition occurs as a result of chronic overnutrition, or loading the body with too many calories and nutrients. Overnutrition places the body at risk for hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome and vitamin or mineral toxicity. Typically, though, malnutrition occurs as a result of undernutrition. This condition may occur as a result of insufficient nutrient intake, excessive loss of nutrients through vomit or body waste, increased nutritional demand or a medical condition that impairs the body's ability to digest and absorb nutrients.
Marasmus
Marasmus is a type of protein energy malnutrition that occurs among children under the age of one. When marasmus develops, the child's body breaks down and consumes its own tissues, fat and muscles in order to survive. A child with severe marasmus typically loses 20 percent or more of their body weight. Physical characteristics of marasmus include muscle wasting, severe loss of body fat, loose and saggy skin, dry flaking skin and disproportionately large head size. Clinical findings include a slowed heart rate, low blood pressure, large appetite, drowsiness and irritability.
Kwashiorkor
Although kwashiorkor can affect people of any age, it typically occurs among children ages one to five. Children with kwashiorkor often have a sufficient calorie intake, but an extremely low protein intake. Essentially, it is a disorder of protein deficiency. Typical characteristics of kwashiorkor include discolored hair, diarrhea, stunted growth and irritability. A child suffering from kwashiorkor also has increased fluids inside the body, resulting in swelling. A swollen "pot belly" is one of the most common manifestations of the condition.
Prognosis
Even if medical treatment is sought immediately, children and adults with severe malnutrition may never fully recover. In fact, the Encyclopedia of Children's Health explains that the long-term effects of severe malnutrition often include a chronic ability to absorb nutrients and mental impairment. Patients presenting with persistent diarrhea, jaundice, low sodium levels and loss of consciousness at the time of treatment typically have a poorer prognosis than other malnourished patients.
At Risk Populations
A 2000 study by the World Health Organization revealed that malnutrition affects one in three people worldwide. Although it affects people of all demographics, it is particularly prevalent among people with inadequate access to health education, clean water, good sanitation and financial resources. A significant majority of adults and children with malnutrition live in Asia and Africa, as of 2011.
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