Question

When breast feeding is replaced by less nutritive food (low in proteins and calories); the infants below the age of one year are likely to suffer from
(A) Kwashiorkor
(B) Pellagra
(C) Marasmus
(D) Rickets

Answer 1

Hint: The mammals are characterized by the presence of the mammary gland in them. They have these features in order to feed their own young ones. Mother’s milk is very essential to the babies, since it contains more nutrients essential for the baby growth.

Complete answer:
The breast milk is mostly fed to babies of less than or equal to the age of one year. It has many nutrients which are provided in the proper proportions to the child, and hence it makes the child disease free and highly immune to the diseases. The first breast milk to the child is referred to as the colostrum milk and it is very important by providing protection against the disease and the infection.

If this milk is replaced by the low nutritive food like diluted cow milk, the child may suffer from disease. Since it contains less proteins and other calories. Among the given options, marasmus occurs in the child less than one year, due to the deficiency of the protein in the body. Other than this, kwashiorkor occurs due to increased protein in the body, Pellagra is due to the deficiency of niacin and rickets is due to the lack of calcium.

Thus the correct answer is option (C) i.e, Marasmus.

Note:The symptoms of the marasmus are skinny appearance, thin face, very dry skin, very frequent diarrhea which occur due to less digestion in them and the protruding ribs due to the lack of fat etc. These are mainly due to the insufficient mother’s milk.