Protein energy malnutrition natural history, complications and prognosis

	kwashiorkor Microchapters
;
Diagnosis
;
Laboratory Findings
X Ray
CT
MRI
Echocardiography or Ultrasound
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Protein energy malnutrition natural history, complications and prognosis On the Web
Most recent articles
cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Protein energy malnutrition natural history, complications and prognosis All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Protein energy malnutrition natural history, complications and prognosis
CDC on Protein energy malnutrition natural history, complications and prognosis
Protein energy malnutrition natural history, complications and prognosis in the news
Blogs on Protein energy malnutrition natural history, complications and prognosis
Kwashiorkor
Risk calculators and risk factors for Protein energy malnutrition natural history, complications and prognosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Omodamola Aje B.Sc, M.D. [2]

Overview

If left untreated, all children with protein energy malnutrition will progress to develop a failure to thrive, poorly developed immune system which causes overwhelming bacteremia and sepsis which is responsible for the cause of death.

Natural history, Complications, Prognosis

Natural history

The symptoms of protein energy malnutrition usually develop between the first and fifth year of life, and start with symptoms such as lethargy, irritability, failure to thrive, decreased muscle mass, diarrhea, and recurrent infections due to decreased immunity. without treatment patients with protein energy malnutrition which comprises of kwashiorkor and marasmus present with changes in their facial appearance with children with kwashiorkor having moon faces while those with marasmus develop monkey like face due to loss of subcutaneous fat pad in the cheeks. There is generalized edema, hepatomegaly, changes in skin, hair color and texture, recurrent infections like diarrhea with kwashiorkor which will eventually lead to overwhelming shock and sepsis and death.^[1]^[2]^[3]

Complications

Complications that can develop as a result of protein energy malnutrition are:

Coma
Permanent mental and physical retardation
Shock

Prognosis

The prognosis of protein energy malnutrition is good with treatment. Without treatment, protein energy malnutrition will result in recurrent infection leading to death.

References

↑ Bourke CD, Berkley JA, Prendergast AJ (2016). "Immune Dysfunction as a Cause and Consequence of Malnutrition". Trends Immunol. doi:10.1016/j.it.2016.04.003. PMC 4889773. PMID 27237815.
↑ Rytter MJ, Kolte L, Briend A, Friis H, Christensen VB (2014). "The immune system in children with malnutrition--a systematic review". PLoS ONE. 9 (8): e105017. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0105017. PMC 4143239. PMID 25153531.
↑ Scrimshaw NS (2003). "Historical concepts of interactions, synergism and antagonism between nutrition and infection". J. Nutr. 133 (1): 316S–321S. PMID 12514318.

Template:WH Template:WS

[pmid27237815-1] Bourke CD, Berkley JA, Prendergast AJ (2016). "Immune Dysfunction as a Cause and Consequence of Malnutrition". Trends Immunol. doi:10.1016/j.it.2016.04.003. PMC 4889773. PMID 27237815.

[pmid25153531-2] Rytter MJ, Kolte L, Briend A, Friis H, Christensen VB (2014). "The immune system in children with malnutrition--a systematic review". PLoS ONE. 9 (8): e105017. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0105017. PMC 4143239. PMID 25153531.

[pmid12514318-3] Scrimshaw NS (2003). "Historical concepts of interactions, synergism and antagonism between nutrition and infection". J. Nutr. 133 (1): 316S–321S. PMID 12514318.

[1]

[2]

[3]