Question

The children of a remote village suffer from severe protein deficiency. Their fat and muscle tissue have depleted, and their skin hangs in loose folds. They look extremely weak, and their bones are clearly visible beneath their skin. However, these inhabitants do not suffer from swelling of their extremities. In this scenario, the children most likely suffer from _____.

a. kwashiorkor
b. marasmus
c. edema
d. ascites

Answer 1

The children from the remote village, exhibiting severe emaciation but no swelling, likely suffer from marasmus, which is caused by a persistent deficiency in both protein and calories.

Step-by-step explanation:

The children in the described scenario most likely suffer from marasmus. Marasmus is a severe form of malnutrition that arises from a prolonged deficiency in calories and protein. In contrast to kwashiorkor, which is characterized by edema and a distended abdomen due to protein deficiency while potentially maintaining adequate caloric intake, marasmus presents with extreme emaciation—where fat and muscle tissues are heavily depleted—and without the swelling of extremities.

Children with marasmus appear very weak and thin, with loose skin folds, and their bones are prominently visible below the surface. Marasmus typically arises in settings of famine or among children in impoverished conditions who are not receiving sufficient nutritional intake from either breast milk or other food sources after weaning. The condition can lead to severe health consequences if not addressed, including stunted growth and susceptibility to infections due to a weakened immune system.