Emaciation

Medical condition

Emaciation

Photo from 1972 of an emaciated child in India with marasmus
Pronunciation|

* /ɪˌmeɪʃiːˈeɪʃən/, /ɪˌmeɪsiːˈeɪʃən/

Emaciation is defined as the state of extreme thinness from absence of body fat and muscle wasting usually resulting from malnutrition.[1] It is often seen as the opposite of obesity.

## Characteristics[edit]

Emaciation manifests physically as thin limbs, pronounced and protruding bones, sunken eyes, dry skin, thinning hair, a bloated stomach, and a dry or coated tongue in humans. Emaciation is often accompanied by halitosis, hyponatremia, hypokalemia, anemia, improper function of lymph and the lymphatic system, and pleurisy and edema.[2]

## Causes[edit]

Buchenwald inmates, 16 April 1945, when the camp was liberated

See also: Malnutrition

Emaciation can be caused by undernutrition, malaria and cholera, tuberculosis and other infectious diseases with prolonged fever, parasitic infections, many forms of cancer and their treatments, lead poisoning, and eating disorders like anorexia nervosa.[2]

Emaciation is widespread in least developed countries and was a major cause of death in Nazi concentration camps during World War II.

## Animals[edit]

Illustration of an emaciated horse, by Chinese artist Gong Kai

A lack of resources in the habitat, disease, or neglect and cruelty from humans in captivity can result in emaciation in animals. In the rehabilitation of emaciated animals, the specific dietary needs of each animal have to be considered to avoid causing harm.[3][4]

## See also[edit]

* Cachexia
* Malnutrition

## References[edit]

1. ^ "Emaciation". Medical-Dictionary.TheFreeDictionary.com. Retrieved January 19, 2012.
2. ^ a b Bose, Bholanoth (1877) [First published 1877 (2009)]. A new system of medicine, entitled recognizant medicine; or, The state of the sick. London: J. & A. Churchill. pp. 192–199. Retrieved January 19, 2012. "Emaciation."
3. ^ "What is animal cruelty?". The British Columbia SPCA. Archived from the original on March 4, 2012. Retrieved January 19, 2012.
4. ^ "Emaciation (Starvation) Protocol". Anapsid.org. Dec 2009. Retrieved January 19, 2012.

## External links[edit]

Classification|

* ICD-10: E41
* ICD-9-CM: 261, 799.4 (US) - Cachexia; 261 if attributed to severe malnutrition (Coding Clinic, 1st Quarter, 2013)
* MeSH: D004614

|

* v
* t
* e

Malnutrition

Protein-energy
malnutrition|

* Kwashiorkor
* Marasmus
* Catabolysis

Vitamin deficiency|

| B vitamins|

* B1
* Beriberi
* Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome
* Wernicke's encephalopathy
* Korsakoff's syndrome
* B2
* Riboflavin deficiency
* B3
* Pellagra
* B6
* Pyridoxine deficiency
* B7
* Biotin deficiency
* B9
* Folate deficiency
* B12
* Vitamin B12 deficiency

|

Other|

* A: Vitamin A deficiency
* Bitot's spots
* C: Scurvy
* D: Vitamin D deficiency
* Rickets
* Osteomalacia
* Harrison's groove
* E: Vitamin E deficiency
* K: Vitamin K deficiency

Mineral deficiency|

* Electrolyte imbalance
* Calcium
* Chloride
* Magnesium
* Phosphate
* Potassium
* Sodium
* Iron
* Zinc
* Manganese
* Copper
* Iodine
* Chromium
* Molybdenum
* Selenium
* Keshan disease
* Fluorine

Growth|

* Delayed milestone
* Failure to thrive
* Short stature
* Idiopathic

General|

* Anorexia
* Weight loss
* Cachexia
* Underweight

Media related to Emaciation at Wikimedia Commons
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