Treatment FAQ

what is the treatment for marasmus

by Toby Mills Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

The first and primary treatment prescribed for the patient suffering from marasmus includes:

  • Multivitamin supplements to improve appetite and nutrition deficiency.
  • Dehydration symptoms can be prevented by the intake of water and other fluids that contain electrolytes.
  • Few antibiotics or other medications are given to treat children with pathogenic infections.

More items...

Treatment of marasmus involves a special feeding and rehydration plan and close medical observation to prevent and manage complications of malnutrition. Pediatric nutrition rehabilitation centers have been established in some countries and regions to coordinate treatment of malnourished children.

Full Answer

What is the marasmus treatment process?

Apr 10, 2020 · Initial treatment of marasmus often includes dried skim milk powder mixed with boiled water. Later, the mixture can also include a vegetable oil such as sesame, casein, and sugar. Casein is milk protein. The oil increases the energy content and density of the mixture.

How can I reduce my risk of marasmus?

May 09, 2016 · Initial treatment of marasmus often includes dried skim milk powder mixed with boiled water. Later, the mixture can also include a vegetable oil such as sesame, casein, and sugar. Casein is milk...

Should you consult a doctor if you have marasmus?

Clinical treatment for marasmus includes the following steps: Resuscitation. This step involves rehydration. This can be done by injecting a rehydrating solution into your vein or by orally …

Is marasmus life-threatening?

Apr 05, 2022 · Treatment of Marasmus [Click Here for Sample Questions] Marasmus being a life-threatening disease can even be fatal for a person. So it is crucial to treat it with proper guidance and process. Multivitamins and other nutrient supplements to cut out the nutrient deficiency. Electrolytes and other water intakes to eradicate the dehydration effects.

image

Which medicine is used for marasmus?

Chloramphenicol is still used in low-income countries and recommended in some WHO management protocols. It should be replaced by less toxic drugs (eg, ceftriaxone).Dec 13, 2021

What are the prevention and control of marasmus?

The best way to prevent marasmus is to have an adequate intake of calories and protein, preferably from a healthful, well-balanced diet.Aug 23, 2018

How is marasmus and kwashiorkor treated?

Kwashiorkor can be corrected by eating more protein and more calories overall, especially if treatment is started early. You may first be given more calories in the form of carbohydrates, sugars, and fats. Once these calories provide energy, you will be given foods with proteins.

What is the best treatment for kwashiorkor?

If kwashiorkor is found early, it can be treated with either specially formulated milk-based feeds or ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF). RUTF is typically made up of peanut butter, milk powder, sugar, vegetable oil, and added vitamins and minerals.

What is marasmus disease?

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.

What is the causes of marasmus?

Marasmus always results from a negative energy balance. The imbalance can result from a decreased energy intake, an increased loss of ingested calories (eg, emesis, diarrhea, burns), an increased energy expenditure, or combinations of these factors, such as is observed in acute or chronic diseases.Dec 13, 2021

What is kwashiorkor and marasmus disease?

Kwashiorkor, a severe protein deficiency, causes fluid retention and a protruding abdomen. On the other hand, the condition marasmus, which results from severe calorie deficiency, leads to wasting and significant fat and muscle loss (5). Undernutrition can also result in micronutrient deficiencies.

What is kwashiorkor and marasmus?

Marasmus: Severe weight loss and muscle wasting due to lack of nutrition and calories. Kwashiorkor: Swelling or edema due to water retention from lack of protein. Marasmic-kwashiorkor: A combination of muscle wasting and bilateral edema.

What is marasmus What are the symptoms of marasmus?

Symptoms Of Marasmus The most common symptom of marasmus is underweight, shrunken and wasted appearance. In children with marasmus, there is an excess loss of muscle mass and subcutaneous fat, while dry skin and easily breakable hair are other symptoms.Aug 12, 2021

What is protein deficiency called?

kwashiorkor, also called protein malnutrition, condition caused by severe protein deficiency.

What causes scurvy?

Causes of scurvy Scurvy is caused by not having enough vitamin C in your diet for at least 3 months. Vitamin C is mainly found in fruit and vegetables. Even people who do not eat very healthily all the time are not usually considered at risk of scurvy.

How to diagnose marasmus?

Diagnosis of Marasmus. Your doctor can diagnose marasmus by physically examining your body. They generally check if your height and weight are appropriate for your age. In children, doctors measure the girth of the middle-upper arm to check for malnutrition.

Why do people get marasmus?

You can get marasmus if you have a severe deficiency of nutrients like calories, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. ‌. It is more common in developing countries, like in some areas of Asia and Africa. People in these nations are prone to having poor access to food, making it difficult to get enough nutrients.

How to tell if you have marasmus?

Severe protein and calorie deficiency in children can result in loss of fat and muscle mass. The most common symptom of marasmus is being underweight due to malnourishment. The following symptoms can occur due to deficiency, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, or infection if marasmus remains untreated for a long time:‌ 1 Weight loss 2 Stunted growth 3 Dry skin and eyes 4 Brittle hair 5 Diarrhea 6 Lower immunity 7 Stomach infection and lactose intolerance 8 Respiratory infections 9 Rickets due to calcium and vitamin D deficiency 10 Anemia due to iron deficiency 11 Impaired brain function and intellectual disability 12 Low blood pressure or hypotension 13 Low body temperature or hypothermia 14 Slow heart rate or bradycardia

What does marasmus mean in children?

They are always low in energy and enthusiasm. Such children are often irritable, short-tempered, and uninterested in things. This symptom can be confused as a sign of kwashiorkor, which is another type of malnutrition.

What are the symptoms of marasmus?

The most common symptom of marasmus is being underweight due to malnourishment. The following symptoms can occur due to deficiency, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, or infection if marasmus remains untreated for a long time:‌. Weight loss. Stunted growth.

What causes marasmus in children?

This can lead to a low intake of essential nutrients in infected children and adults. Diseases such as HIV/AIDS and malaria in rural areas can cause marasmus.

What are the risks of marasmus?

If you have a poor diet that lacks essential nutrients, you may be at risk of developing marasmus. ‌. Food shortages. Marasmus is more common in developing countries that have high poverty and lack of food. These regions also have frequent famines and natural disasters, resulting in food shortages.

How long does cotrimoxazole therapy last?

If the child has no clinical sign of infection, the WHO recommends 5 days of oral cotrimoxazole therapy.

What is the best solution for shock?

In cases of shock, intravenous (IV) rehydration is recommended using a Ringer-lactate solution with 5% dextrose or a mixture of 0.9% sodium chloride with 5% dextrose. Enteral hydration using ReSoMal should be started as early as possible, preferably at the same time as the IV solution.

Is marasmus a life threatening condition?

Management of moderate marasmus can be performed on an outpatient basis, but severe marasmus or marasmus complicated by a life-threatening condition generally requires inpatient treatment. In these cases, management is divided into an initial intensive phase followed by a consolidation phase (rehabilitation), preparing for outpatient follow-up management. The WHO has developed guidelines to help improve the quality of hospital care for malnourished children and has prioritized the widespread implementation of these guidelines.

Is marasmus a septic shock?

Dehydration in children with marasmus is difficult to evaluate, is overdiagnosed, or is misinterpreted as septic shock. Rehydration should be enteral (by mouth or by NG tube) except in case of coma or shock, when intravenous therapy is required.

Does enteral feed help with marasmus?

Enteral feeds decrease diarrhea and prevent bacteremia from bacterial translocation. Because of the instability of children with marasmus, clinical care must be well adapted, with group ing of patients, constant monitoring, and frequent clinic al evaluation during the first days.

Can marasmus be isolated?

Patients with marasmus should be isolated from other patients, especially children with infections. Treatment areas should be as warm as possible, and bathing should be avoided to limit hypothermia. Therefore, when possible, the hospital structure is best adapted for the treatment of severe malnutrition.

What is Protein Energy Malnutrition?

As the world is growing vastly the inequality is widening too resulting in a vast division in every sector of life. In the same manner the basic necessity, food is too divided in this manner resulting in heavy malnutrition, especially in under-developed and developing countries.

What is Marasmus?

Marasmus is one of the types of Protein Energy Malnutrition. It is a major concern of underdeveloped and developing economies where inequality is prevalent. Marasmus occurs in the initial stage of life especially due to lack of proper care in the intake of food.

Symptoms of Marasmus

As Marasmus is a kind of malnutrition main symptom of it is the loss in body fat and muscle tissue and other malnutritional effects. Marasmus though holds its own aspect it has some of its own specific symptoms too. Symptoms of marasmus are -

Causes of Marasmus

Marasmus is a perilous disease and its major cause seems out to be the lack of basic amenities, that is nutritious food. As this disease is prominent in the lower economic countries its main reason is poverty. Other prominent causes of Marasmus are -

Prevention of Marasmus

As it is known, prevention is better than cure. It becomes vital to prevent Marasmus which is a dangerous disease and prevalent all around the globe. Since marasmus, brings down all the body fats and the calories, it takes time to build up which has been detorted. Therefore, taking proper preventive measures are important, some are -

Treatment of Marasmus

Marasmus being a life-threatening disease can even be fatal for a person. So it is crucial to treat it with proper guidance and process.

Difference between Marasmus and Kwashiorkor

Marasmus and kwashiorkor both are types of protein-energy malnutrition. It becomes confusing at times to differentiate between them both as the root of both is primarily similar.

How to prevent marasmus?

Therefore, individuals should consider the following tips for the prevention of marasmus –. Eating nutritious food. Drinking adequate water. Following a balanced diet. Maintaining good hygiene. Additionally, if anyone develops any symptoms of marasmus, consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Why do people have marasmus?

Famine. Consuming wrong nutrition or not balancing it properly with others. Existing health conditions and any bacterial, or viral infections. Apart from that, marasmus causes in adults are noted due to the lack of healthy food for a long period.

What is marasmus in nutrition?

What is Marasmus? Marasmus is an extreme form of protein-energy malnutri tion. It occurs when an individual does not consume enough calories and protein in their diet for an extended period. Therefore, in the absence of these vital nutrients, energy level within the body goes down dangerously.

What are the symptoms of marasmus?

Other signs and symptoms of marasmus are –. Weight loss. Chronic diarrhoea. Dehydration. Dizziness. Lack of energy.

Does marasmus cause hypotension?

Therefore, the treatment of mental health is also essential to completely recover from this condition. Marasmus, in the long run, can also create complication like hypothermia, hypotension, and bradycardia.

What is the primary symptom of marasmus?

The primary symptom of marasmus is an acute loss of body fat and muscle tissues, leading to an unusually low body mass index ( BMI ). Marasmus is a type of wasting. In a child, the main symptom of marasmus is a failure to grow, known as stunted growth.

What is marasmus in medical terms?

Marasmus is a life-threatening medical emergency. When symptoms appear, the person needs treatment straight away. Rapid weight loss, infections, and sudden changes in behavior or appetite could be signs of an underlying problem, such as an eating disorder or a chronic health condition.

What is marasmic kwashiorkor?

Marasmic kwashiorkor. Marasmic kwashiorkor is the third form of protein-energy malnutrition that combines features and symptoms of both marasmus and kwashiorkor. A person with marasmic kwashiorkor may: In children with marasmus kwashiorkor, the weight will be less than 60 percent of the standard weight for their age.

Why does marasmus not grow?

It leads to wasting, or the loss of body fat and muscle. A child with marasmus may not grow as children usually do. Malnutrition happens when a lack of nutrients causes health problems, usually because a person’s diet does not contain all ...

How much weight can a child with marasmus kwashiorkor lose?

In children with marasmus kwashiorkor, the weight will be less than 60 percent of the standard weight for their age. Immediate medical treatment is essential. As the condition progresses, recovery becomes more difficult, and the chances of survival reduce.

What is the name of the condition where the body retains fluid in the lower legs, feet, arms, and hands

Kwashiorkor. Kwashiorkor is another severe form of protein-energy malnutrition where the main deficiency is protein. Severe cases of malnutrition can lead to kwashiorkor. Unlike marasmus, kwashiorkor causes the body to retain fluid in the lower legs, feet, arms, hands, and face, leading to a swollen appearance.

What are the long term effects of marasmus?

dry skin. brittle hair. Apart from weight loss, long-term effects of marasmus in children include slow growth and repeated infections. Diarrhea, measles, or a respiratory infection are serious complications that can be fatal in a child with marasmus. Diarrhea can also be a contributing cause of marasmus.

image

General Objectives

Nutritional Management of The Acute Phase of Severe Marasmus

  • This period corresponds to maintenance of vital functions and tissue renewal (ie, maintenance needs). During this period, the electrolyte imbalance, infections, hypoglycemia, and hypothermia are treated, and then feeding is started. Oral renutrition of a child with marasmus should be started as early as possible, as soon as the child is stable and ...
See more on emedicine.medscape.com

Rehabilitation Phase

  • In the rehabilitation phase of treatment, nutritional intake can reach 200 kcal/kg/d. The goal is to reach a continuous catch-up growth in weight and height in order to restore a healthy body weight. Only children who have been weaned from their NG tube can be considered as being in the rehabilitation phase. Therefore, specific goals of this phase are as follows: 1. To encourage the …
See more on emedicine.medscape.com

Management of Acute Complications

  • Mortality of hospitalized children with marasmus is high, especially during the first few days of rehabilitation. Death is usually caused by infections (ie, diarrhea and dehydration, pneumonia, gram-negative sepsis, malaria, urinary infection) or other causes (ie, heart failure associated with anemia, excess of rehydration solution, or excess of proteins in the first days of treatment; hypot…
See more on emedicine.medscape.com

Complications of The Rehabilitation Phase

  • See the list below: 1. Poor response to the nutritional rehabilitation: If the above recommendations are applied, children with marasmus should improve rapidly, gain weight regularly, and return to age-appropriate developmental status. Usually, poor response to treatment is due to insufficient intake or an underlying infection, especially HIV or tuberculosis. However, p…
See more on emedicine.medscape.com

Specific Medical Treatment Regimens

  • See the list below: 1. In certain clinical scenarios, specific clinical routines should be observed. 2. In malnourished children with developmental disabilities, a systematic approach that was applied in a specialized feeding disorder clinic has been described.[44] Initially, specific deficits were identified. Diagnosis-specific treatment plans then resulted in significantly improved energy con…
See more on emedicine.medscape.com

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9