Marasmus Explained: A Core Concept for Quizlet
Marasmus is a form of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) that results from an insufficient intake of all macronutrients, including carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. This is distinct from kwashiorkor, which is primarily a protein deficiency. In marasmus, the body is starved of essential calories, forcing it to consume its own tissues for energy. It most often affects young children in developing regions due to food scarcity and poverty, but it can also be found in elderly individuals, or those with eating disorders like anorexia nervosa. Understanding this fundamental difference is crucial for anyone using a flashcard system like Quizlet for medical terminology.
Symptoms and Clinical Signs
Identifying marasmus involves recognizing a number of key symptoms, many of which are often featured in medical school flashcards.
- Emaciation: The most defining feature is visible wasting of fat and muscle, leading to a severely underweight and shriveled appearance.
- Visible Skeleton: Bones become prominent beneath the skin due to the loss of subcutaneous fat.
- 'Old Man' Face: The loss of facial fat gives a child an aged or wizened facial appearance.
- Dry, Loose Skin: Skin becomes loose and hangs in folds because of the loss of underlying tissue.
- Apathy and Weakness: Lethargy, listlessness, and a general lack of energy are common.
- Stunted Growth: In children, this manifests as a significant failure to grow and develop at a normal rate.
- Hair Changes: Hair can become brittle, dry, or fall out.
- Compromised Immune System: The immune system weakens, making the person highly susceptible to infections.
Causes of Marasmus
As seen on study aids for medical students, the causes of marasmus are multi-faceted and often intersect with social and environmental factors.
- Poverty and Food Scarcity: Limited access to a reliable food supply is a primary global driver.
- Inadequate Diet: This includes insufficient calorie intake, which can happen during the weaning period if the replacement foods are nutritionally poor.
- Infectious Diseases: Conditions like chronic diarrhea, malaria, or HIV/AIDS can increase metabolic needs and reduce appetite and absorption of nutrients.
- Underlying Health Conditions: Diseases such as cystic fibrosis, celiac disease, and congenital heart disease can impair nutrient absorption.
- Eating Disorders: In developed countries, conditions like anorexia nervosa can be a cause.
- Elder Abuse/Neglect: In vulnerable adult populations, neglect can lead to severe malnutrition.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis is typically based on physical examination and anthropometric measurements, which are common diagnostic steps covered in Quizlet study sets. For example, measuring a child's weight-for-height or mid-upper arm circumference. Blood tests can also help identify specific vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
Treatment is a delicate, multi-stage process due to the risks associated with refeeding syndrome, a potentially fatal complication of nutritional rehabilitation.
- Rehydration and Stabilization: The initial phase focuses on treating dehydration and correcting electrolyte imbalances using a specialized oral solution like ReSoMal. Infections are also treated with antibiotics.
- Nutritional Rehabilitation: Refeeding begins slowly with liquid formulas, gradually increasing calories and nutrients as the patient stabilizes. Tube feeding may be necessary initially.
- Catch-Up Growth: Once stable, the calorie intake is increased to support rapid growth and weight gain, particularly in children.
- Follow-up and Prevention: Education for caregivers on proper nutrition and hygiene is crucial to prevent recurrence.
Marasmus vs. Kwashiorkor
For many students, distinguishing between marasmus and kwashiorkor is a common challenge addressed on Quizlet. This table provides a clear comparison.
| Feature | Marasmus | Kwashiorkor |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Cause | Overall deficiency of calories and all macronutrients | Primary deficiency of protein with adequate energy intake |
| Appearance | Severely emaciated, wasted, 'old man' face, loose skin folds | Edema (swelling) of the limbs, face, and abdomen; 'puffy' appearance |
| Subcutaneous Fat | Absent, completely wasted | Present, often masked by fluid retention |
| Muscle Wasting | Marked muscle wasting and loss | Present, but masked by edema |
| Growth | Severely stunted growth | Stunted growth |
| Appetite | Can be voracious or poor | Poor appetite is common |
| Hair/Skin | Dry, brittle hair and dry skin | Hair discoloration (red/yellow), patchy skin with 'flaky paint' appearance |
Conclusion
Studying what is marasmus on Quizlet provides a solid foundation for understanding this severe nutritional disorder. However, a deeper look reveals it as a complex medical emergency, primarily caused by an extreme lack of calories. The condition results in profound muscle and fat wasting, stunted growth, and a high risk of infection. Effective treatment requires careful, phased refeeding under medical supervision to ensure a positive prognosis. Understanding its clinical presentation, especially in comparison to kwashiorkor, and its socio-economic roots is essential for comprehensive knowledge.
For more detailed information on marasmus, refer to authoritative medical sources like the Cleveland Clinic: Marasmus: Definition, Symptoms & Causes.
