Protein energy malnutrition history and symptoms
|
kwashiorkor Microchapters |
|
|
|---|
|
Diagnosis |
|
|
|
Treatment |
|
Case Studies |
|
Protein energy malnutrition history and symptoms On the Web |
|
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Protein energy malnutrition history and symptoms |
|
Protein energy malnutrition history and symptoms in the news |
|
Risk calculators and risk factors for Protein energy malnutrition history and symptoms |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Omodamola Aje B.Sc, M.D. [2]
Overview
History and Symptoms
History
The history of protein energy malnutrition includes a failure to thrive in children under 1 year of age especially after they have just been weaned of breast milk. It is important to take a detailed history of the kind of food that the infant eats. The infant is usually found to eat a meal that is deficient in protein. A history of recurrent infections is usually present due to a poorly developed immune system and living in crowded environment. Changes in skin with flaking like a paint wall is usually reported by the mother of the infant.
Common symptoms
Common symptoms of protein energy malnutrition include:
- Failure to thrive
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Changes in skin and hair pigment
- Decreased muscle mass
- Diarrhea
- Increased and more severe infections due to damaged immune system
- Edema
- Hepatomegaly
Less common symptoms
Less common symptoms seen in patients with protein emergy malnutrition include:
- Nail fissuring
- Shock
- Belly protusion