Protein energy malnutrition history and symptoms

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief:  Omodamola Aje B.Sc, M.D. [2]

## Overview[edit | edit source]

The history of protein-energy malnutrition includes a failure to thrive in children under 1 year of age especially after they have just been weaned of breast milk. Some common signs and symptoms include failure to thrive, fatigue, irritability, changes in skin and hair pigment, decreased muscle mass, diarrhea, increased occurrence of severe infections due to damaged immune system, edema and hepatomegaly.

## History[edit | edit source]

### History[edit | edit source]

The history of protein-energy malnutrition includes a failure to thrive in children under 1 year of age especially after they have just been weaned of breast milk. It is important to document a detailed history of the kind of food that the infant eats. An infant affected by protein-energy malnutrition has a history of eating a meal that is deficient in protein for a prolonged period. A history of recurrent infections is usually present due to a poorly developed immune system and living in crowded environment. Changes in skin with peeling and flaking of skin, that is usually reported by the mother of the infant. [1][2]

### Past medical history[edit | edit source]

A patient affected by protein-energy malnutrition may have the following past medical history: [1][2]

* Poor weight gain or weight loss
* Diarrhea
* Dermatitis
* Slowing of linear growth
* Behavioral changes (irritability, apathy, decreased social responsiveness, anxiety, and decreased attention span)
* Non-healing wounds

### Social history[edit | edit source]

A patient suffering from protein-energy malnutrition may belong to a low socioeconomic class and/or may belong to a region of low literacy rate.

## Symptoms[edit | edit source]

### Common symptoms[edit | edit source]

Common symptoms of protein energy malnutrition include:[3]

* Failure to thrive
* Fatigue
* Irritability
* Changes in skin and hair pigment
* Decreased muscle mass
* Diarrhea
* Increased and more severe infections due to damaged immune system
* Edema
* Hepatomegaly

### Less common symptoms[edit | edit source]

Less common symptoms seen in patients with protein-energy malnutrition include:

* Nail fissuring
* Shock
* Abdominal distension

## References[edit | edit source]

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 DE TONI E (1960). "Kwashiorkor. (General review)". Ann Paediatr. 195: 286–302. PMID 13720900.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Heilskov S, Rytter MJ, Vestergaard C, Briend A, Babirekere E, Deleuran MS (2014). "Dermatosis in children with oedematous malnutrition (Kwashiorkor): a review of the literature". J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 28 (8): 995–1001. doi:10.1111/jdv.12452. PMID 24661336.
3. ↑ Uwaegbute, Ada C. (1991). "Weaning practices and weaning foods of the Hausas, Yorubas and Ibos of Nigeria". Ecology of Food and Nutrition. 26 (2): 139–153. doi:10.1080/03670244.1991.9991197. ISSN 0367-0244.

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