write a few symptoms of marasmus?
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NEWSLETTER
What You Should Know About Marasmus
Medically reviewed by Natalie Butler, R.D., L.D. — Written by James Roland — Updated on March 18, 2017
Symptoms
Causes
Risk factors
Diagnosis
Treatments
Outlook
Overview
Marasmus is a form of severe malnutrition. It can occur in anyone who has severe malnutrition, but it usually occurs in children. It typically occurs in developing countries. Marasmus can be life-threatening, but you can get treatment for it.
Symptoms of marasmus
The main symptom of marasmus is being underweight. Children with this condition have lost a lot of muscle mass and subcutaneous fat. Subcutaneous fat is the layer of fat just under the skin. Dry skin and brittle hair are also symptoms of marasmus.
In children with marasmus, the following can also occur:
chronic diarrhea
respiratory infections
intellectual disability
stunted growth
Seriously malnourished children may look older and have little to no energy or enthusiasm for anything. Marasmus can also make children short-tempered and irritable, but this is usually a more common symptom of kwashiorkor.
Kwashiorkor is another form of serious malnutrition. Kwashiorkor causes a buildup of fluid in the body that can cause the face to become round and the belly to become distended.