Kwashiorkor and Marasmus: The Two Common Diseases That Result from Protein Deficiencies

October 19, 2025 •

2 min read

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), undernutrition is linked to nearly half of all deaths in children under five worldwide. The two common diseases that result from protein deficiencies are kwashiorkor and marasmus, severe forms of malnutrition with distinct causes and symptoms.

Quick Summary

Kwashiorkor, caused primarily by protein deficiency, leads to swelling and a distended abdomen. Marasmus results from an overall lack of calories and protein, causing severe wasting. Both conditions primarily affect young children in impoverished areas but have serious health consequences if left untreated.

Key Points

Kwashiorkor and Marasmus are the Two Severe Protein Deficiency Diseases: Kwashiorkor is primarily a protein deficiency causing fluid retention, while marasmus is a deficiency of both protein and calories, leading to severe wasting.
Kwashiorkor Causes Edema: A key symptom is swelling of the abdomen, ankles, and feet due to fluid imbalance, often masking underlying muscle and weight loss.
Marasmus Causes Emaciation: Symptoms include a shrunken, wasted appearance with visible bones and severely depleted fat and muscle tissue.
Both Conditions Primarily Affect Children: Kwashiorkor often occurs after weaning, while marasmus commonly affects infants due to overall lack of nourishment.
Treatment Requires Gradual Nutritional Rehabilitation: Severe malnutrition must be treated carefully to prevent refeeding syndrome, slowly introducing calories and proteins.
Long-Term Consequences Can Be Severe: Delayed treatment can lead to permanent physical and mental disabilities, affecting growth and cognitive development.
Prevention Focuses on Diet and Education: Ensuring access to varied protein sources and educating communities on proper nutrition are key to preventing these diseases.

Understanding the Silent Threat of Protein Deficiencies

Protein is a crucial macronutrient involved in nearly every function of the human body, from building and repairing tissues to producing enzymes and hormones. When a person's diet lacks sufficient protein, their body's ability to maintain normal functions is severely compromised, leading to serious health issues. While a mild protein deficiency can cause fatigue and weakened immunity, prolonged or severe cases can result in life-threatening conditions. The most severe forms are kwashiorkor and marasmus, two distinct but often co-occurring diseases of malnutrition.

Kwashiorkor: Edematous Malnutrition

Kwashiorkor is a form of severe protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) primarily caused by a severe protein deficiency with relatively adequate caloric intake. It typically affects young children during weaning.

Symptoms of kwashiorkor include fluid retention (edema) in the abdomen, feet, ankles, and hands, often resulting in a swollen appearance. Other signs are changes in hair and skin, fatty liver, irritability, lethargy, and stunted growth with muscle wasting that may be masked by edema.

Marasmus: The Wasting Syndrome

Marasmus is a severe PEM resulting from a deficiency of both protein and total calories, leading to the wasting of fat and muscle tissue. It is most common in infants and young children in impoverished areas.

Symptoms include extreme emaciation, significant weight loss (often below 60% of normal for age), stunted growth, weakness, lethargy, and increased susceptibility to infections due to a compromised immune system.

Treatment and Prevention

Treatment for kwashiorkor and marasmus begins with addressing life-threatening complications like dehydration and infections. Nutritional rehabilitation must be gradual to avoid refeeding syndrome, and it focuses on a balanced diet of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and micronutrients. Prevention strategies involve ensuring adequate nutrition and education.

Kwashiorkor vs. Marasmus: A Comparative Look

A table comparing features of Kwashiorkor and Marasmus can be found on the {Link: KLE Hospitals website https://www.klehospital.org/conditions/kwashiorkor}. Key differences include the primary deficiency (protein for Kwashiorkor, protein and calories for Marasmus), appearance (swollen vs. emaciated), and body fat levels (retained vs. depleted).

Long-Term Effects and Outlook

Early treatment can reverse many symptoms, but delayed care, especially in children, may lead to permanent physical and mental disabilities such as stunted growth and cognitive issues. The outcome depends on severity and care quality.

The Importance of Balanced Nutrition

A balanced diet with sufficient protein is crucial for prevention. Strategies such as promoting diverse agriculture and distributing therapeutic food, alongside nutritional education, are vital in vulnerable populations.

Conclusion

Kwashiorkor and marasmus are severe outcomes of protein deficiencies, distinguished by edema (kwashiorkor) or wasting (marasmus). Though prevalent in developing regions, they underscore the need for balanced nutrition, early detection, cautious treatment, and preventative measures like access to varied, nutritious food.

Authoritative Outbound Link

For more detailed information on the global incidence and management of these malnutrition types, visit the World Health Organization's page on malnutrition: [https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/malnutrition]

Frequently Asked Questions

The main difference lies in the type of deficiency and resulting symptoms. Kwashiorkor is caused primarily by a lack of protein, leading to fluid retention and swelling (edema), particularly in the belly and face. Marasmus is a deficiency of both protein and total calories, resulting in severe weight loss and wasting of muscle and fat.

Kwashiorkor most commonly affects young children, typically between 1 and 4 years old, particularly during the weaning process. This is often seen in regions with food scarcity where toddlers are switched from protein-rich breast milk to low-protein, high-carbohydrate foods like rice or cassava.

Early symptoms of kwashiorkor include fatigue, irritability, and a general lack of energy. As the condition progresses, a noticeable swollen abdomen, feet, and ankles, along with changes in skin and hair pigmentation, become apparent.

While more common in children, both conditions can affect adults. In developed countries, they may be linked to eating disorders like anorexia nervosa, chronic diseases, substance abuse, or severe neglect.

In kwashiorkor, a distended belly is a sign of severe malnutrition and is caused by fluid build-up (edema) from low protein levels in the blood. However, a swollen abdomen can have other causes and is not exclusively a symptom of malnutrition.

Treatment must be approached cautiously due to the risk of refeeding syndrome. Initial stages focus on treating life-threatening issues like dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and infections. Calories and protein are then gradually introduced to stabilize the patient before moving to full nutritional rehabilitation.

Prevention involves ensuring an adequate intake of diverse protein sources from both animal and plant-based foods, such as lean meat, dairy, eggs, legumes, and nuts. Nutritional education and improving food security in vulnerable communities are also critical steps.