Malnutrition:
• Underweight: weight for age < –2 standard deviations (SD) of the WHO Child
Growth.
• Stunting: height for age < –2 SD of the WHO Child Growth Charts.
• Wasting: weight for height < –2 SD of the WHO Child Growth Charts.
• Overweight: weight for height > +2 SD of the WHO Child Growth Charts.
, Stunting: The result of long‐term nutritional deprivation and often results in:
1) Delayed mental development.
2) Poor school performance.
3) Reduced intellectual capacity.
Protein‐Energy Malnutrition (PEM): A state of deficiency involving multiple
nutrients.
Frequent infections causing anorexia and decreased food intake.
Severe PEM: Marasmus, Kwashiorkor.
Marasmus:
• The most common form of PEM.
• Caused by deprivation of both energy/calories and protein.
• Most common in infants under 1 year of age.
1. Weight loss of > 20% of initial body weight, Limbs appear as
skin and bone.
2. Profound wasting. (Loss of subcutaneous fat and muscle)
3. Fatigue & weakness.
4. Apathy.
5. Irritability.
6. Maintain their hunger despite appearing irritable.
7. Severe growth retardation.
8. Wrinkled skin and bone prominence.
Kwashiorkor:
Acute severe form of childhood protein‐energy malnutrition. Occurs mainly:
• At the time of weaning (unbalanced diet)
• Previously malnourished patient when exposed to the catabolic stress of
infection.
• Maternal deprivation.
• Underweight: weight for age < –2 standard deviations (SD) of the WHO Child
Growth.
• Stunting: height for age < –2 SD of the WHO Child Growth Charts.
• Wasting: weight for height < –2 SD of the WHO Child Growth Charts.
• Overweight: weight for height > +2 SD of the WHO Child Growth Charts.
, Stunting: The result of long‐term nutritional deprivation and often results in:
1) Delayed mental development.
2) Poor school performance.
3) Reduced intellectual capacity.
Protein‐Energy Malnutrition (PEM): A state of deficiency involving multiple
nutrients.
Frequent infections causing anorexia and decreased food intake.
Severe PEM: Marasmus, Kwashiorkor.
Marasmus:
• The most common form of PEM.
• Caused by deprivation of both energy/calories and protein.
• Most common in infants under 1 year of age.
1. Weight loss of > 20% of initial body weight, Limbs appear as
skin and bone.
2. Profound wasting. (Loss of subcutaneous fat and muscle)
3. Fatigue & weakness.
4. Apathy.
5. Irritability.
6. Maintain their hunger despite appearing irritable.
7. Severe growth retardation.
8. Wrinkled skin and bone prominence.
Kwashiorkor:
Acute severe form of childhood protein‐energy malnutrition. Occurs mainly:
• At the time of weaning (unbalanced diet)
• Previously malnourished patient when exposed to the catabolic stress of
infection.
• Maternal deprivation.
