Question

Two diseases due to deficiency of protein in the diet of a child are ____________.

Answer 1

Hint: Protein deficiency is caused by lack of breast feeding and thus use of dilute animal milk. These diseases are termed as protein energy malnutrition. These diseases are mostly seen in south central Asia and eastern Africa.

Complete answer:
Proteins are the building blocks of our bodies. Protein is a polymer of different types of amino acids linked together by the peptide bond. Protease is the enzyme that can break down the protein into polypeptide chains. Protein is present in all cells of the body either as membrane or carriers. Protein plays an important role in immune response, cellular repair, coenzyme, etc. Deficiency of protein can cause mental retardation and many more diseases like-
- Kwashiorkor
- Marasmus

Additional Information:
 Kwashiorkor
-“Kwashiorkor” comes from Ghana which means “rejected one”.
-Kwashiorkor is characterized by swollen midriff and feet, skin depigmentation, tooth misfortune that is more influential on youngsters.
-It also represses mental and body growth.
-Kwashiorkor children also show symptoms like diarrhea, fatigue, peeling skin, and irritability.
-This disease is mainly due to deficiency in vitamin B9, iron, vitamins C, albumin which together creates many health manifestations.
-The deficiency of albumin results in lower the water holding capacity of blood in blood vessels and into tissues which causes swelling.
-The two main syndromes associated with protein deficiency are kwashiorkor and marasmus where some show combined symptoms of both known as marasmic kwashiorkor.

Marasmus
-Marasmus is a form of severe protein deficiency as a result from negative energy balance that may occur at any age.
-In this disease the body utilizes all fat stores before using the muscles which causes loss of subcutaneous fat.
-Severe muscle wasting is seen in marasmus.
-A physical defect like cleft palate or cardiac abnormalities which prevent the infant from taking an adequate diet.

Note: Deficiency of protein leads to a weak immune system, shrinkage of muscle tissue, impaired mental health, edema, and organ failure.In many cases, a protein deficient person shows fatty liver. Protein deficiency affects the skin, causing redness, flashy skin, brittle nails, and hair loss. All enzymes are protein but not all proteins are enzymes.