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Article: Marasmus
- Article from:
- Nutrition and Well-Being A to Z
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CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2004 The Gale Group, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Marasmus
Marasmus
is one component of
protein-energy malnutrition
(PEM), the other being
kwashiorkor
. It is a severe form of malnutrition caused by inadequate intake of protein and
calories
, and it usually occurs in the first year of life, resulting in
wasting
and growth retardation. Marasmus accounts for a large burden on global health. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that deaths attributable to marasmus approach 50 percent of the more than ten million deaths of children under age five with PEM.
The major factors that cause a deficit of caloric and protein intake include the following: the transition from breastfeeding to nutrition-poor foods in infancy,
acute
...