Marasmus

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Marasmus
Photo from 1972 of an emaciated child in India with marasmus
SpecialtyCritical care medicine
CausesStarvation, malnutrition, cachexia

Marasmus is a form of severe malnutrition characterized by energy deficiency. It can occur in anyone with severe malnutrition but usually occurs in children. Body weight is reduced to less than 62% of the normal (expected) body weight for the age.[1] Marasmus occurrence increases prior to age 1, whereas kwashiorkor occurrence increases after 18 months. It can be distinguished from kwashiorkor in that kwashiorkor is protein deficiency with adequate energy intake whereas marasmus is inadequate energy intake in all forms, including protein. This clear-cut separation of marasmus and kwashiorkor is however not always clinically evident as kwashiorkor is often seen in a context of insufficient caloric intake, and mixed clinical pictures, called marasmic kwashiorkor, are possible. Protein wasting in kwashiorkor generally leads to edema and ascites, while muscular wasting and loss of subcutaneous fat are the main clinical signs of marasmus, which makes the ribs and joints protrude.[2]

The prognosis is better than it is for kwashiorkor.[3] Marasmus is the form of malnutrition most highly associated with HIV, developing in the last stages of pediatric AIDS, and the prognosis for children with co-morbid marasmus and HIV is very poor.[4]

The word "marasmus" comes from the Greek μαρασμός marasmos ("withering").

Signs and symptoms[edit]

Marasmus is commonly represented by a shrunken, wasted appearance, loss of muscle mass and subcutaneous fat mass.[5][6] Due to the deficiency in macronutrients and caloric intake, specifically protein and adult survivors that impact development. Other long term effects of marasmus are the increased risks for pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction which leads to glucose intolerance and type 2 diabetes.[7] This may lead to reduced muscle mass, and increased visceral fat. Moreover, there are metabolic implications including reduced insulin sensitivity and impaired glucose metabolism. There is also an increased risk of other NCDs (Non-communicable diseases) as well as CVRFs (Cardiovascular risk factors). Not only are the survivors of marasmus impacted, but their offspring as well. There is an association with survivors and their offspring having a low birth weight.[8] There are also long term effects related to gene methylation. Marasmus adult survivors may have changes in gene expression in regards to immunity, growth and glucose metabolism.[9]

Causes[edit]

Buchenwald concentration camp inmates on 16 April 1945, when the camp was liberated by the US Army

Marasmus is caused by the following factors:

Treatment[edit]

Both the causes and complications of the disorder must be treated, including infections, dehydration, and circulation disorders, which are frequently lethal and lead to high mortality if ignored.[citation needed] Initially, the child is fed dried skim milk that has been mixed with boiled water. Refeeding must be done slowly to avoid refeeding syndrome. Once children start to recover, they should have more balanced diets which meet their nutritional needs. Children with marasmus commonly develop infections and are consequently treated with antibiotics or other medications.[medical citation needed] Ultimately, marasmus can progress to the point of no return when the body's ability for protein synthesis is lost. At this point, attempts to correct the disorder by giving food or protein become futile, and death is inevitable.[citation needed]

Prevention[edit]

Nutritionally the best way to prevent marasmus is through a diverse and adequate diet. Other interventions that also target nutrition specific interventions are through SAM treatment, CTC (comprehensive treatment center), and protein and micronutrient supplements. It is also important for mothers and families to be educated on prenatal care, nutrition and child development. Energy, protein and micronutrient supplementation are vital to ensuring the mother and child are adequately nourished. Strictly breastfeeding for 6 months and 24 months for nutritional supplementation is also recommended to prevent Marasmus and other malnutrition of children under the age of 2.[10]

In addition to nutrition, ensuring access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene are important in preventing childhood illness and diarrheal disease which can contribute to marasmus and other Severe acute malnutrition cases as well as, if the child has marasmus it can quickly become dangerous if the child has another disease as immune functions are decreased when a child has marasmus.[11] It is important for the child or anyone at risk for marasmus to have access to primary care so they are able to treat these illnesses, prevent diarrheal diseases often associated with malnutrition and monitor growth.

Epidemiology[edit]

United States[edit]

In the United States, marasmus is rarely seen, especially in children. In 1995, there were only 228 deaths caused by marasmus in the U.S., of which only 3 were children. In 2016, the prevalence of marasmus in the United States was 0.5%. Prevalence is higher in hospitalized children, especially ones with chronic illnesses, however an exact incidence of nonfatal marasmus is not known. This is due to marasmus not being reported as an admission or discharge diagnosis.[12]

International[edit]

There are multiple forms of malnutrition and roughly one-third of the world's population is currently experiencing one or more of them. There are around 50 million children less than five years old who have protein-energy malnutrition. Of the malnourished children population in the world, 80% live in Asia, 15% in Africa, and 5% in Latin America. It is estimated that the prevalence of acute malnutrition in Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States to be 6.1–14%. In Turkey, the prevalence is as high as 32%.[12]

Race[edit]

There is no evident racial predisposition that correlates to malnutrition. Rather, there is a strong association with the geographic distribution of poverty.[13]

Age[edit]

Marasmus is more commonly seen in children under the age of five due to that age range being characterized as one that has an increase in energy need and susceptibility to viral and bacterial infections.[14] The World Health Organization also identifies the elderly as another population that is vulnerable to malnutrition. Because their nutritional requirement is not well defined, attempts to provide them with the necessary nutrition becomes difficult.[15]

There exist screening tools and tests that can be used to help identify signs and symptoms of malnutrition in older adults. The Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST) is a validated malnutrition screening tool that is primarily used in the residential aged care facility or for adults in the inpatient/outpatient hospital setting. It includes parameters such as weight loss and appetite.[16]

Disability-adjusted life year for protein-energy malnutrition per 100,000 inhabitants in 2002[17]
  no data
  less than 10
  10–100
  100–200
  200–300
  300–400
  400–500
  500–600
  600–700
  700–800
  800–1000
  1000–1350
  more than 1350

Persons in prisons, concentration camps, and refugee camps are affected more often due to poor nutrition.[citation needed]

Socioeconomic implications[edit]

Those who are in poverty are more likely to develop marasmus and other nutritional deficiencies.[18] Due to childhood malnutrition, survivors of marasmus often have poorer socioeconomic prospects due to cognitive compromise in their developmental years. Since adequate nutrition is vital for development, those with Marasmus are impacted by impaired neurodevelopment. This results in loss of education in early school years, leading to limited higher educational and occupational opportunities. Prevention may look like improving nutritional education and access, as well as eliminating poverty are ways to reduce the risks of developing these deficiencies.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Appleton & Vanbergen, Metabolism and Nutrition, Medicine Crash Course 4th ed. Moseby (London: 2013) p.130
  2. ^ Müller, Olaf; Krawinkel, Michael (2005-08-02). "Malnutrition and health in developing countries". CMAJ: Canadian Medical Association Journal. 173 (3): 279–286. doi:10.1503/cmaj.050342. ISSN 0820-3946. PMC 1180662. PMID 16076825.
  3. ^ Badaloo AV, Forrester T, Reid M, Jahoor F (June 2006). "Lipid kinetic differences between children with kwashiorkor and those with marasmus". Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 83 (6): 1283–8. doi:10.1093/ajcn/83.6.1283. PMID 16762938.
  4. ^ Prazuck, Thierry; Tall, François; Macro, Boubacar; Rochereau, Anne; Traore, Antoinette; Sanou, Théophille; Malkin, Jean-Elie; Apaire-Marchais, Véronique; Masson, Damienne; Dublanchet, Alain; Lafaix, Christian (January 1993). "HIV infection and severe malnutrition". AIDS. 7 (1): 103–108. doi:10.1097/00002030-199301000-00016. ISSN 0269-9370. S2CID 12330805.
  5. ^ Rabinowitz, Simon. "MD, PhD, FAAP". Emedicine Medscape. Medscape. p. 28. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  6. ^ Francis-Emmanuel, Patrice; Thompson, Debbie; Barnett, Alan; Osmond, Clive; Byrne, Christopher; Hanson, Mark; Gluckman, Peter; Forrester, Terrance; Micheal, Boyne (June 1, 2014). "Glucose Metabolism in Adult Survivors of Severe Acute Malnutrition". The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 99 (6): 2233–2240. doi:10.1210/jc.2013-3511. PMID 24517147.
  7. ^ Grey, Kelsey; Gonzales, Gerard; Abera, Mubarek; Lelijveld, Natasha; Thompson, Debbie; Berhane, Melkamu; Abdissa, Alemseged; Girma, Tsinuel (March 10, 2021). "Severe malnutrition or famine exposure in childhood and cardiometabolic non-communicable disease later in life: a systematic review". BMJ Global Health. 6 (e003161): e003161. doi:10.1136/bmjgh-2020-003161. PMC 7949429. PMID 33692144.
  8. ^ Titi-Lartley, Owuraku; Gupta, Vikas. "Marasmus". National Library of Medicine. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  9. ^ Sheppard, Allan; Ngo, Sherry; Li, Xiaoling; Boyne, Micheal; Thompson, Debbie; Pleasants, Anthony; Gluckman, Peter; Forrester, Terrance (April 24, 2017). "Molecular Evidence for Differential Long-term Outcomes of Early Life Severe Acute Malnutrition". eBioMedicine. 18: 274–280. doi:10.1016/j.ebiom.2017.03.001. PMC 5405153. PMID 28330812.
  10. ^ "Marasmus". Cleveland Clinic. Clevland Clinic.
  11. ^ "Marasmus". Cleveland Clinic. Clevland Clinic.
  12. ^ a b "Marasmus: Background, Pathophysiology, Body Composition". 2019-02-02.
  13. ^ Stephens, Janna D.; Althouse, Andrew; Tan, Alai; Melnyk, Bernadette Mazurek (2017). "The Role of Race and Gender in Nutrition Habits and Self-Efficacy: Results from the Young Adult Weight Loss Study". Journal of Obesity. 2017: 5980698. doi:10.1155/2017/5980698. ISSN 2090-0708. PMC 5406727. PMID 28491474.
  14. ^ Katona-Apte, Judit; Katona, Peter (2008-05-15). "The Interaction between Nutrition and Infection". Clinical Infectious Diseases. 46 (10): 1582–1588. doi:10.1086/587658. ISSN 1058-4838. PMID 18419494.
  15. ^ "WHO | Nutrition for older persons". WHO. Retrieved 2019-08-07.
  16. ^ "Malnutrition Screening and Assessment Tools". NCOA. 2017-01-20. Retrieved 2019-08-07.
  17. ^ "Mortality and Burden of Disease Estimates for WHO Member States in 2002" (xls). World Health Organization. 2002.
  18. ^ Galler, Janina; Bryce, Cryalene; Waber, Deborah; Zichlin, Miriam; Fitzmaurice, Garret; Eaglesfield, David (July 2012). "Socioeconomic Outcomes in Adults Malnourished in the First Year of Life: A 40-Year Study". Pediatrics. 130 (1): e1–e7. doi:10.1542/peds.2012-0073. PMC 3382923. PMID 22732170.

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