Why do children who suffer from marasmus and kwashiorkor look so different from each other?


Children with marasmus look like skin and bone. These children are wasting due to severe malnutrition; their bodies don't have enough protein or other nutrients or calories. Their cells will break down all fats and eventually lean tissue proteins for energy.
Children with kwashiorkor have pronounced swelling, especially in the abdomen. These children are switched from nutritious breast milk to a cereal that is low in protein. Reduction in protein intake may cause a reduction in the levels of albumin in the blood. This causes the fluid to leave the blood and collect in the tissues (edema). The liver develops fatty deposits due to its inability to make lipoproteins. This contributes to the abdominal swelling. Muscle wasting in children with kwashiorkor may be disguised by the edema.

Nutritional Science

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