Long-Term Sequelae Complications of Marasmus:
It is likely that people with marasmus are experiencing economic hardship. Research shows that being malnourished can predict difficulties in life due to poor education and a lower income. Moreover, people who are malnourished tend to be shorter and weigh less than others.
Causes
What Are the Causes of Marasmus?
The primary cause of marasmus is the lack of protein intake. This usually occurs in children who do not have the means to afford food with sufficient nutritional content. As a result, children suffering from malnutrition exhibit poor performance in physical activities and have the following characteristics:
- They show massive weight loss.
- Their basal metabolic growth is poor.
- Growth is stunted.
- They become lethargic.
Marasmus can also cause emesis, diarrhea, and burns. Moreover, severe malnutrition (marasmus) has the capability of causing death due to infections, electrolyte imbalance, and heart failure.
Treatment
How to Treat Marasmus
The medications for marasmus include prophylactic antibiotics. This is a malnutrition-induced immunodeficiency compensation medication. Apart from this, other treatments can also be used such as protein refeeding (this is when a person gradually starts to consume protein) and correcting glycemic hydration and electrolyte abnormalities.
It is imperative to know that rapid protein refeeding will lead to negative effects to the body such as overwhelming an already damaged liver. Ultimately, this may lead to liver failure.
People with marasmus should receive treatment in a hospital or in their community. It has been shown that community-based treatment has more promising results when it comes to treating uncomplicated severe malnutrition compared to being treated in a hospital.
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