PROTEIN ENERGY MALNUTRITION: An Overview on First National Disorder

Abstract

Protein energy malnutrition as range of pathological condition arising from coincidental lack in varying proportion of proteins and calories, occurring most frequently in infants and young children and commonly associated with infection. Children below the age of 5 years who constitute over 20% of our population are the most vulnerable group of under nutrition. Over 800 million children around the worldwide are encountered with under nutrition. More than half of the childhood deaths in growing nations are due the reason of under nutrition. Nutritional marasmus and kwashiorkor are two different extreme forms of a continuous process of protein energy malnutrition. Nutritional marasmus results from predominant energy deficiency. Kwashiorkor is due to predominant protein deficiency though some energy deficiency may co-exist. Other symptom includes Failure to thrive Chronic diarrhea, Respiratory infection, Intellectual disability, Stunted growth. The outcome of the condition is extremely complicated, majority of the cases encountered with bronchopneumonia or Acute GE. In India the prevalence of underweight is of forty-three percentages, stunting is forty-eight followed by wasting is twenty percentages in preschool children, as compared to other countries it is found to be highest in India. The majority of children in India encountered with malnutrition of mild and the moderate form which is difficult to recognize. Early interventions help to prevent irreversible damages.