Difference Between Kwashiorkor and Marasmus: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Kwashiorkor arises due to deficiency of protein intake in the body and Marasmus occurs due to deficiency of energy intake. These two diseased conditions Kwashiorkor and Marasmus are found in young children. These diseases are not caused because of any acute disease like cough, cold, fever but are a result of prolonged ignorance or lack of properly balanced food in diet after the birth of a child. Deficiency or an improper balance of any of the above-mentioned nutrients can lead to a severe diseased condition that affects the entire body system.

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Key Terms: Malnutrition, Edema, Fluid Retention, Muscle Loss, Protein-Energy Malnutrition.

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What is Kwashiorkor?

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Kwashiorkor is caused due to the deficiency of protein intake which ultimately leads to a condition of Malnutrition. In this disease, the child mostly lacks the intake of proteinous food in their idea, but the intake of other nutrients is proper. It is characterized by the enlargement of the edema and liver of the body.

Kwashiorkor was usually found in underdeveloped or developing countries where food is scarce for some sections of people. It is generally found in children who did not get sufficient breast milk from their mother due to younger siblings or due to some diseased condition.

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Causes of Kwashiorkor

• One of the major causes of Kwashiorkor is the lack of protein intake in the diet of children due to improper intake of breast milk after birth and later due to lack of protein-rich food.
• Prolonged condition of deficiency of protein leads to Kwashiorkor in children.
• Excess intake of carbohydrate-rich food at an early age is also responsible for this malnutrition condition in children.

Symptoms of Kwashiorkor

Some of the symptoms of Kwashiorkor are important to be aware of:

• Bulging abdomen
• Condition of edema or the puffy or swollen appearance due to fluid retention in the body.
• Inability to grow and to gain required weight according to age.

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Treatment of Kwashiorkor

Pathologically, Kwashiorkor is caused due to severe lack of protein in the body which creates an osmotic imbalance in the gastrointestinal system. This imbalance affects the gastrointestinal system and leads to swelling in the gut and retention of water (edema condition). This affects the lymphatic system of the body and in a case affects the immune system of humans and gradually leads to the condition of malnourishment.

Treatment to this condition includes:

• Intake of a diet rich in protein to a required amount.
• Initially, the diet should be rich in lactase to fulfill the requirement of amino acids in the body and later to replace the milk intake with vitamins and minerals in cereals to gain sufficient weight.

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What is Marasmus?

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Marasmus is another condition of malnutrition where there is an improper intake of energy in the diet. This condition is caused in young children and babies. It is found in rural areas mostly due to a lack of proper food rich in energy.

Also read: Kala Azar and its symptoms

Causes of Marasmus

Marasmus is caused due to improper intake of energy-rich food in diet which leads to a condition of approximately 62% decrease in body weight concerning age and height. It majorly occurs in rural and slum areas where properly balanced food is unavailable for any child.

Lack of energy intake also sometimes leads to Kwashiorkor because, within the energy, protein intake is also decreased for a prolonged duration in a child’s life.

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Symptoms of Marasmus

Visible Symptoms that occur after 12 months includes:

• Dehydration
• Severe weight loss (loss of subcutaneous fat)
• Stomach shrinkage
• Chronic diarrhea
• Starvation

Treatment of Marasmus

Marasmus includes some visible symptoms like dehydration and weight loss, so in that condition, it is important to first provide treatment to these conditions:

• Prevention of dehydration by increasing the water and fluid-based food intake.
• Treatment of infection and any other acute diseases in the body ( if any).
• The child is subjected to a healthy diet that will be balanced as per the requirement and age of the child.

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Difference between Kwashiorkor and Marasmus

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Key differences between the two which will help us to differentiate between the two on different parameters:

Both the conditions of Kwashiorkor and Marasmus are due to the deficiency of some particular nutrients in the body. These shortages of protein and energy result in a malnourished condition of the body, which is also referred to as Protein-energy malnutrition. This Protein- Energy Malnutrition can be caused due to several natural and man-made conditions like:

• Living in poverty
• Having eating disorders
• Lack of education and awareness of dietary needs of the body
• Lack of medication on time
• Lack of food accessibility

Some of the common symptoms can also be outlined from these two diseased conditions:

• Diarrhea
• Weakness
• Hair loss
• Fatigue
• Reduced appetite and so on.

Also read: Food Deficiency

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Things to Remember

• Kwashiorkor and Marasmus, both are malnutrition conditions that occur in children at a young age
• Kwashiorkor occurs due to the deficiency of protein in the diet.
• Marasmus occurs due to the deficiency of Energy content which includes proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.
• Both conditions eventually lead to a condition of Protein-Energy Malnutrition in Children.
• It is more common in rural areas than in urban areas.

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