Marasmus and Kwashiorkor - Essay Example

Kwashiorkor may be caused by malnutrition, eating foods rich in carbohydrates and fats but not protein, having problems in the gastrointestinal tract which inhibit the absorption of protein or any other infection that somehow affects protein intake by the body. Sometimes weaning off early may also result in kwashiorkor since breast milk is composed largely of proteins and sudden removal causes protein deficiency. Kwashiorkor leads to swollen belly, fatigue, weight loss, retarded growth and susceptibility to other opportunistic infections. Marasmus is also caused by a deficiency of protein in the diet. The causes, therefore, are very similar to those of kwashiorkor. However, unlike Kwashiorkor Marasmus can occur even before the age of six months even when the baby is being breastfed. There is no collection of fluid in the belly and on the contrary to kwashiorkor, a child suffering from marasmus would lose weight and appear thin.

Both Marasmus and Kwashiorkor are common in third-world countries and are life-threatening conditions. The treatment of these conditions needs to be done with care and constant monitoring of the diet that the patients take. Proper food programs and nourishment may herald a world without kwashiorkor and Marasmus.