Human Nutrition 3(3+0)

Lesson 18 : Proteins

Marasmic-kwashiorkor

In countries where the incidence of protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM) is high, a large number of cases show signs and symptoms of marasmus and kwashiorkor. These intermediate forms are called ‘Marasmic-kwashiorkor ‘. A child with early kwashiorkor can develop nutritional marasmus by severe infective diarrhea and ill-advised prolonged under-feeding. Conversely, an infant with nutritional marasmus may develop kwashiorkor if it is fed on protein deficient carbohydrate rich foods along with adequate common salt.