What is the difference between Kwashiorkor and Marasmus?

Both Marasmus and Kwashiorkor are diseases that come from having a poor diet and little or no nutrition.

• He will have dry and loose skin hanging.

• Typically, the child will lose fat tissue from certain areas of the body, such as the buttocks and thighs.

• The child is often perturbed and is extremely hungry.

• The child also has some layers of pigmented hair.

• Someone with Kwashiorkor suffers from low absorption.

• He or she may also possess strange-looking burns, nephrosis, or chronic liver disease.

• The child may also experience vomiting, infections, and diarrhea.

• They may also endure the loss of muscle mass, edema, or other immunodeficiency symptoms.

• A severe nutritional deficiency, in general, causes marasmus, and it tends to affect infants and very young children.

• A lack of protein causes Kwashiorkor in the diet, and a distended stomach characterizes it.

Kwashiorkor and Marasmus are known to be conditions that are related to malnutrition. There are different reasons why people may be undernourished. Kwashiorkor may occur when people have severe protein deficiency.

The body is unable to get enough protein, so those who have this will show the signs that they are not getting enough protein. Some will usually suffer from fluid retention because of too many carbohydrates. Some may not be able to grow as fast as they should.

Marasmus is a condition that may affect children more. This can make those who are affected to become dehydrated and start losing weight. This may happen when children do not get enough food because of food shortage or lack of money to buy food.

Kwashiorkor and marasmus are different terms used to address different forms of malnutrition. Kwashiorkor refers to a form of malnutrition common seen in children. It is caused by dietary insufficiency of protein in combination will a high level of carbohydrate diet. A child with kwashiorkor is likely to present with a distended stomach, diarrhea, and skin burns. It is treated by the addition of protein to their diet.

Marasmus, on the other hand, refers to any wasting disease, especially a severe loss of body weight common in children. It is often caused by malnutrition or the inability to digest food properly. Marasmus refers to a total lack of nutrition. It is a severe form of nutritional deficiency. A child with marasmus is likely to present with severe weight loss, chronic diarrhea, stomach shrinkage, peeling or pigmented skin and dehydration.