Question

A child is suffering from Kwashiorkor, and if this child is compared with other marasmus children then what additional symptoms are present in a Kwashiorkor child?
A) Decrease in body weight
B) Wasted muscles
C) edema
D) Impaired physical growth

Answer 1

Hint: Erythropoiesis is the name given to the production of RBCs (erythrocytes), and is dependent on many complex factors. The major function of RBCs is the transport of delivery of oxygen. A decrease in RBC mass and oxygen-carrying capacity is known as anemia.

Complete step-by-step answer:
kwashiorkor and marasmus both diseases are due to protein deficiency. Both diseases are malnutrition diseases. Protein-energy malnutrition or PEM is the condition of lack of energy due to deficiency of all macronutrients and micronutrients.
Complete Step-by-step answer:
Kwashiorkor is a form of childhood protein-energy malnutrition. It takes place in children of 1-3 years. It is due to a deficiency of proteins and relatively adequate energy intake. And in marasmus, it is due to the severe and prolonged restriction of all food i.e., energy and protein as well. Muscle wasting occurs in both kwashiorkor and marasmus. Kwashiorkor is due to a poor diet. marasmus takes place by even taking a good diet. Both diseases cause impairment in physical growth.
An essential feature of kwashiorkor is generalized edema that is absent in marasmus. Hair, skin, and psychomotor changes in the body. Whereas some essential features of marasmus are muscle wasting, loss of subcutaneous fat, and low body weight.
Therefore the correct answer is option C i.e., edema.

Note: Protein deficiency through starvation states (kwashiorkor) has classically been associated with anemia through induction of aplasia of the marrow. Testing has revealed
a decreased erythropoietin production in the starved individual, as well as decreased sensitivity of the bone marrow erythrocyte precursors to erythropoietin. This decreased sensitivity causes a maturation block, which can be overcome by exogenous administration of the recombinant erythropoietin. Protein deficiency is also strongly associated with a riboflavin deficiency, which can be fatal during the repletion of protein stores if not treated.