Protein Energy Malnutrition
- Protein energy malnutrition also called protein calorie malnutrition is the most common nutritional disorder of developing countries.
- Two extreme conditions of PEM are Kwashiorkar and Marasmus.
- Definition
- Malnutrition produced by a severely inadequate amount of protein in the diet.
- Literally means sickness of the deposed child.
- Occurrence:
- pre-school children
- Symptoms:
- stunted growth,edema, diarrhea, discoloration of head and skin, anemia, apathy, moon face
- Biochemical manifestations
Decreased plasma albumin (<2g/dl)
Decreased K+
Decreased fasting glucose
Decreased or normal serum cortisol
Decreased immunity
Decreased retinol binding protein
- Mnemonic:
Peter Pan Makes Light Drinks With Oranges
- Peter-Pre-school children
- Pan-Protruding belly
- Makes-Moon face
- Light-Low protein intake
- Drinks-Dermatitis
- With-Wasting of muscles
- Oranges- Oedema
Treatment:
Ingestion of protein rich foods or the dietary combinations to provide about 3-4 g of protein/kg body weight/day.
- Definition
- Malnutrition due to deficiency of calories
- Usually observed in children given watery gruels to supplement the mother’s breast milk
- Occurrence-weaned infants
- Symptoms–
- growth retardation, muscle wasting, anemia, weakness
- Biological manifestations:
- Increased serum cortisol
- Decreased fasting blood glucose
- Mnemonic:
Lisa Saw a Dish With Olives and Walnuts
- Lisa-low calories
- Saw-Shrunken abdomen
- Dish-Dry and atrophic skin
- With-Weaned infants
- Olives-Old man’s face
- and Walnuts-Weak and atrophic muscles
Treatment
Not only the symptoms but the complications of disorders including infections, dehydration and circulation disorders should be treated.
-Anuja Mandavkar