Final answer:
A 10% weight loss in 6 months is a clinical characteristic of severe malnutrition, which encompasses conditions like marasmus and kwashiorkor. These conditions arise from calorie and protein deficiencies, respectively, and can severely impede children's growth and development.
Step-by-step explanation:
One clinical characteristic of acute disease or injury related severe malnutrition is a 10% weight loss within a six-month period. This can be indicative of protein-energy malnutrition (PEM), which includes conditions such as marasmus and kwashiorkor. Marasmus is associated with extreme calorie deficiency leading to significant weight loss, muscle wasting, and overall weakness, with no edema present.
On the other hand, kwashiorkor is a result of protein deficiency, with clinical features including edema of the ankles and feet, distended abdomen, and loss of hair, as well as muscle wasting. Both conditions can occur due to high levels of malnutrition, often exacerbated by factors such as poverty, lack of food, and environmental crises like drought. Importantly, undernutrition poses a greater threat to children because it can permanently impede growth and development, more so than in adults.