10 Interesting Difference Between Kwashiorkor and Marasmus with Table

What is the difference between kwashiorkor and marasmus brainly?

Kwashiorkor and marasmus are types of malnutrition. But these conditions caused by different issues and also result in different symptoms. Kwashiorkor and marasmus pictures in the article will provide a deeper understanding.

The biochemical difference between marasmus and kwashiorkor is the former is caused by a deficiency in proteins and calories while the latter is caused by a deficiency in proteins.

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Difference Between Kwashiorkor and Marasmus

Comparison Table (Kwashiorkor vs Marasmus)

Basic Terms Kwashiorkor Marasmus
Causes Deficiency of proteins in the diet Deficiency of both proteins and calories in the diet
Age Factor Occur in children of age between 6 months and 3 years Occur in children of age between 6 months and 1 year
Oedema Present Absent
Subcutaneous fat Present Absent
Weight loss Slight weight loss Severer weight loss
Symptoms Thinning of muscles and limbs Thinning of limbs
Fatty liver cells Result in enlargement of fatty liver cells No enlargement of fatty liver cells
Appetite Voracious feeder. Poor appetite.
The texture of the skin Flaky and rough skin appearance Dry and wrinkled skin
Requirement of Nutrition A large number of proteins An adequate amount of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins

What Is Kwashiorkor?

Kwashiorkor is a condition that occurs in babies and children over 3 years. The condition develops as a result of severe protein deficiency.

Kwashiorkor is quite common in children living in rural areas in underdeveloped and developing countries in the world.

It would be best to not that children being weaned off breast milk are also highly susceptible to developing kwashiorkor.

Common symptoms of kwashiorkor are enlarged liver, change in the skin, diarrhea, weight loss, irritability, abdominal swelling, and muscle wasting.

What You Need to Know about Kwashiorkor

  1. Occur in children experiencing protein deficiency
  2. Develop in children of age between 6 months and 3 years
  3. Enlarged fatty liver
  4. Poor appetite
  5. Muscle wasting is mild
  6. Lethargic
  7. Ribs are not prominent
  8. Oedema is present
  9. Subcutaneous fat is preserved
  10. The issue can be resolve by increasing the intake of proteins

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What Is Marasmus?

Marasmus develops in babies and young children. It also referred to a type of starvation is a disorder. The condition is quite common in Africa and some parts of underdeveloped continents.

Individuals living in rural areas are highly susceptible to food shortages and this can result in marasmus. Keep in mind that the condition can also occur in young adults experiencing a shortage of food.

Some of the common symptoms of marasmus are dehydration, weight loss, chronic diarrhea, and skin shrinkage. The issue can be resolve by having an adequate number of proteins and calories.

What You Need to Know about Marasmus

  1. Occur due to protein and calories deficiency
  2. Common in infants below the age of 1 year
  3. Severe muscle wasting
  4. Edema is absent
  5. Subcutaneous fat is not preserved
  6. Ribs become quite prominent
  7. Fatty liver is absent
  8. Voracious feeder
  9. Alert and irritable
  10. An increase of proteins, fat, and carbohydrates resolve the issues

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Main Difference between Kwashiorkor and Marasmus

  1. Kwashiorkor is caused by protein-deficient while marasmus by proteins and calories deficiency.
  2. Kwashiorkor occurs in children of age between 6 months and 3 years whereas marasmus occurs in children about 6 months and 1 year
  3. Kwashiorkor results in slightly prominent ribs while marasmus result in severe prominent ribs
  4. Kwashiorkor causes poor appetite while marasmus causes voracious feeders
  5. Kwashiorkor results in slight muscle wasting while marasmus causes severe muscle wasting

Similarities between Kwashiorkor and Marasmus

  1. Both develop due to insufficient proteins in the diet
  2. Both result in muscle wasting
  3. Both are types of malnutrition
  4. Both conditions can be fixed
  5. Both happen in individuals living in rural areas with a shortage of food

Comparison Video

In Conclusion

The main cause of marasmus and kwashiorkor is a shortage of food. These conditions are common among people living in poverty and areas struck by famine.

Most symptoms of marasmus and kwashiorkor are prominent. It is quite easy to identify without having medical knowledge and skills.

The good news is that kwashiorkor can be treated by increasing proteins in the diet while marasmus by increasing both proteins and calories.

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