Malnutrition increases the risk of infection and
infectious disease, and moderate malnutrition weakens every part of the immune
system (Stillwagon & Eileen, 2008). For example, it is a major risk factor
in the onset of active tuberculosis (Schaible & Kaufmann, 2007). Protein
and energy malnutrition and deficiencies of specific micronutrients, (including
iron, zinc, and vitamins) increases susceptibility to infection.
infectious disease, and moderate malnutrition weakens every part of the immune
system (Stillwagon & Eileen, 2008). For example, it is a major risk factor
in the onset of active tuberculosis (Schaible & Kaufmann, 2007). Protein
and energy malnutrition and deficiencies of specific micronutrients, (including
iron, zinc, and vitamins) increases susceptibility to infection.
Malnutrition affects HIV transmission by increasing
the risk of transmission from mother to child and also increasing replication
of the virus (Stillwagon & Eileen, 2008). In communities or areas that lack
access to safe drinking water, these additional health risks present a critical
problem. Lower energy and impaired function of the brain also represent the
downward spiral of malnutrition as victims are less able to perform the tasks
they need to in order to acquire food, earn an income, or gain an education.
the risk of transmission from mother to child and also increasing replication
of the virus (Stillwagon & Eileen, 2008). In communities or areas that lack
access to safe drinking water, these additional health risks present a critical
problem. Lower energy and impaired function of the brain also represent the
downward spiral of malnutrition as victims are less able to perform the tasks
they need to in order to acquire food, earn an income, or gain an education.
The following are the consequences of malnourishment
or malnutrition:
or malnutrition:
(1) Kwashiorkor
This disease occurs in children between six months and
five years. It is as a result of the deficiency of protein (William, 1971).
five years. It is as a result of the deficiency of protein (William, 1971).
Causes
A child who is suddenly taken off the breast and is
put on a diet of only solid foods consisting mainly of carbohydrate. The diet
is highly deficient of protein which is needed for growth. If this continues,
symptoms of kwashiorkor would appear.
put on a diet of only solid foods consisting mainly of carbohydrate. The diet
is highly deficient of protein which is needed for growth. If this continues,
symptoms of kwashiorkor would appear.
The absence of the mother could cause the child to
loss her appetite, this result in poor intake of protein foods amongst others.
This may result in kwashiorkor.
loss her appetite, this result in poor intake of protein foods amongst others.
This may result in kwashiorkor.
Clinical
features
features
i.
Retarded growth
ii.
Wasting of muscles
Wasting of muscles
iii.
Mental changes: The child looks miserable
and prefers to remain still in one position.
Mental changes: The child looks miserable
and prefers to remain still in one position.
iv.
Hair changes: The colour texture and
the sheen of the Africa hair usually changes in kwashiorkor patients.
Hair changes: The colour texture and
the sheen of the Africa hair usually changes in kwashiorkor patients.
v.
Skin changes: The skin especially of
the face may by lighter in colour than that of parents. There is appearance of
darkly pigmented patches (Neal, 1972).
Skin changes: The skin especially of
the face may by lighter in colour than that of parents. There is appearance of
darkly pigmented patches (Neal, 1972).
Treatment
i.
The child should see the doctor in
the hospital and be admitted for careful examination to reveal any infection.
ii.
Diet: Dry skimmed milk powder often
forms the basis of treatment (DSM).
Diet: Dry skimmed milk powder often
forms the basis of treatment (DSM).
(2) Nutritional marasmus
The main deficiency is lack of joules. This disease
may occur at any age up to three and half years. This is the situation whereby
the child is getting neither adequate supply of breast milk nor any of the
alternatives to suitable foods (Willian, 1972).
may occur at any age up to three and half years. This is the situation whereby
the child is getting neither adequate supply of breast milk nor any of the
alternatives to suitable foods (Willian, 1972).
Clinical
features
features
Growth failure: In severe cases there is loss of
flesh, ribs and prominent, the face has the characteristics of the monkey
appearances, limbs are emaciated around the buttocks and thighs.
flesh, ribs and prominent, the face has the characteristics of the monkey
appearances, limbs are emaciated around the buttocks and thighs.
Treatment
The treatment is similar to the treatment of
kwashiorkor. It is important to ensure that adequate joules are supplied. The
child should see the doctor for careful examination and medical treatment (Olayide,
1982).
kwashiorkor. It is important to ensure that adequate joules are supplied. The
child should see the doctor for careful examination and medical treatment (Olayide,
1982).
(3) Nutritional anaemia
This is a condition when the baby has a low
haemoglobin count. It occurs in babies as from three months old. During
pregnancy, the foetus receives iron that would meet his iron needs for first
six months of life.
haemoglobin count. It occurs in babies as from three months old. During
pregnancy, the foetus receives iron that would meet his iron needs for first
six months of life.
(Pyke, 1979) indicates that some other nutritional anaemia
may be due to lack of protein pyridoxine, ascorbic acid, folic acid and
cyanocobalamin.
may be due to lack of protein pyridoxine, ascorbic acid, folic acid and
cyanocobalamin.
Clinical
features
features
i.
The oxygen carrying capacity becomes
reduced because of shortage of haemoglobin in the blood. This results in
insufficient oxygen for metabolic processes in the body. They include headache,
dim vision, breathlessness and difficulty in sleeping.
The oxygen carrying capacity becomes
reduced because of shortage of haemoglobin in the blood. This results in
insufficient oxygen for metabolic processes in the body. They include headache,
dim vision, breathlessness and difficulty in sleeping.
Treatment
Adequate intake of protein, iron, vitamin B and
ascorbic
ascorbic
(4) Starvation
Starvation which is the same as under-nutrition is due
to lack of food (Pyke, 1979).
to lack of food (Pyke, 1979).
Causes
i.
Famine
ii.
Poverty
Poverty
iii.
Serious disease of the intestinal
tract
Serious disease of the intestinal
tract
Clinical
features
features
i.
The pulse is slow
ii.
Reduced blood pressure
iii.
Diarrhoea
Treatment
Provision of adequate food to the individual who is suffering
from mild starvation, in a severe case the individual should see a doctor.
from mild starvation, in a severe case the individual should see a doctor.
(5) Obesity
This is the same as overnutrition
Causes
Obesity is caused by excessive intake of food it
result when more joules are taken in food than joules expended in exercise,
work, basal metabolism and so on.
result when more joules are taken in food than joules expended in exercise,
work, basal metabolism and so on.
Clinical
features
features
i.
Increased weight and fatness
ii.
Diabetes mellitus
Diabetes mellitus
iii.
High blood pressure
High blood pressure
Treatment
i.
Reduce joule intake
Reduce joule intake
ii.
Increase joule expenditure
Increase joule expenditure