Definition
Marasmus is a progressive wasting of the body occurring chief in young children and associated with insufficient intake or malabsorption of food; Malnutrition as pathology is caused by relative essential nutrient, the chemical result being detectable by physical examination or biochemical, anthropometries or physiological test. But it may also be due to over nutrition. Malnutrition is distinguished into four types.
According to Gordon (2003), Marasmus typically occurs as an infant slowly starves to death, it is caused by diet containing greater insufficient amount of protein energy and other nutrient. As previously noted, the condition is also commonly referred to as protein energy malnutrition, especially when experienced by other children and adult.
Typically, it occurs in infant who are slowly starving to death. The word “marasmus” means to waste away” in Greek. Vitamins have a “Skin and bones “appearance with little or no subcutaneous fat.
Ross and Wilson (2001) stated, marasmus as being caused by deficiency of both protein and carbohydrate, and is characterized by severe emaciation due to break down (catabolism) of muscle and fat. There is growth retarded, the skin becomes wrinkled and hair is lost. Also infant and children are especially susceptible, as they need sufficient nutrient to grow and develop normally. If dietary intake is inadequate, it is not uncommon for vitamin deficiency to develop at the same time. Poor nutrition reduces the ability to resist other illness and infection.
According to Elinn (2004), defined malnutrition as a failing health that results from long dietary intake that either fails to meet or greatly exceed nutritional needs. She also states the basic causes of malnutrition as:
- Political causes: These include instability, poor system of government and centralization of authority.
- Economic causes: Example poverty.
- Cultural causes: Example belief and behaviours.
Thuman (2005), described marasmus as when a child that is not getting enough of any kind of food. This also implies that the child does not grow well and gain weight as fast as a well-nourished child because he is poorly nourished and lacks strength to fight infection; Children with this form of malnutrition suffering more from diarrhoea, cold and many dangerous for this malnourished child.
Marian (2002), marasmus is due to muscle wasting the child lack both protein and carbohydrate or energy giving food. She also claims that marasmus is condition of chronic under-nourishment occurring especially in children.
Under nutrition: This result from consumption of an inadequate quantity of food that the body need to develop and function normally. Marasmus is as one of the yearly basic protein energy malnutrition. The other two are kwashiorkor and marasmus kwashiorkor; these forms of serious protein energy malnutrition present a group of pathological condition associated with a nutrition and energy at the time mainly gastrointestinal infection, the reason for a progress of nutrition decline into marasmus than kwashiorkor are under and cannot be solely explained by the composition of the diet.
Hunger: The most insidious; is mainly a deficiency of poverty, hunger is the most devastating when it attacks children, since it can affect their mental lives, thus deepening the poverty cycle since they have less access to education and opportunities for work. However, hunger also affect adult, impending their productively and creating a host of associated health problems making their lives even more difficult.
Protein energy malnutrition: This is the result of inadequate intake of Carbohydrate, protein and fat; it occurs during the period of starvation and when dietary intake is inadequate to meet increased requirement example fever and illness, infant and young children are especially prone as they eat insufficient to give and develop normally; this is caused by deficiency of both protein and carbohydrate, it is characterized by several emaciation due to breakdown (catabolism of the Muscle and fat).
Over nutrition: This can lead to obesity, a decreased ability to process glucose (insulin resistance) and hypertension. These with metabolism syndrome have been shown to be at greater risk of developing Type 1 Diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Another relatively uncommon form of over nutrition is vitamin or mineral.
Toxicity: This is usually due to excessive supplementation for as vitamin A rather than the ingestion of food, toxicity symptoms.
Depend on the substance ingested, the severity pf the overdose and lifters. It is acute or chronic or if result of two much lipid and sugar in food intake.
Causes of marasmus
Concerning the causes of marasmus, author contributed differently. A brief list of such author and their contribution are listed below.
Rose and Wilson (2001) agreed that, marasmus is caused by deficiency of both protein and carbohydrate.
Thuman (2005) also wrote that in certain part of Africa, prolonged breastfeeding without the introduction of other food to some extent can cause marasmus. This is because; it is not possible for the mother to produce a sufficient quality of breast milk that will supply other nutrient that is necessary for an infant over nine month of age.
Clinical features
Concerning the sign and symptoms, different authors also agreed as follows:
Rose and Wilson (2001), agreed that it is characterized by severe emaciation due to break down (catabolism) of muscles and fat. Three is growth retardness, skin becomes wrinkled and hair is lost and grey.
Okereke (2006), claimed that marasmus is a condition of excess malnutrition and tissue wasting (emaciation), mostly infant. He also said that it is seen children with failure to thrive and in starvation.
Uddoh (2003), State that the child may present with vitamin deficiency which affects the mouth. She also said that he or she looks older than his/her age (old man appearance) and he/she shown sign of apathy.
Prevention and control
Marasmus can be prevented by the following:
Marian (2001), Said that early diagnosis of the condition is very necessary. She also said that health education on adequate antenatal care during pregnancy and exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of age is vital to avoid marasmus.
Gordon (2003), Said that there should be increase in energy giving food. He still implies that growth monitoring by weight the child is necessary to prevent marasmus.
Treatment of marasmus
Latham (2005), quoted that marasmus can be treated by examining the child from head to toe to detect any abnormality.
Rose and Wilson (2001), Claim that laboratory investigation can also be done to exclude any medical condition example malaria, worm’s infection, etc. The mother should always be admitted to hospital with the child so that the child relationship with the mother may to maintain the speed recovery.
Thuman (2005), also said that the mother should be given some instruction on the Childs nutritional needs and other aspects of personal hygiene and teach the mother food demonstration to know how nutrients can be served for the treatment of marasmus.
References
Anne and Allison (2001); Anatomy and Physiology 9th Edition Churchill Living stone publish in UK.
Bentez, B. (2001) Dentritic Spine Pathology in infant with severe protein Calories Malnutrition Pediatric.
Gorden, M. (2003) Contemporary Nutrition 5th edition McGraw Higher Education New York, Pp 209-200.
Gupta and Gupta (2004) Pocked Medical Dictionary, Malaysia.
Irenu, U. (2006) Basic Nutrition published by man the publisher, Owerri.
Peter, O. (2006) Principle and practice of Primary Health Care 3rd Edition, Published by Noble publishers.
Ross and Wilson (2001) Anatomy and Physiology in Health and Illness publisher’s Elevier Science Limited, 9th Edition, published in U.K.
World Health Organization (WHO) Mortality and Burden of Disease Estimated for W.H.O Member State (2002) Edition.
