Final answer:
Malnourished patients are at greater risk of severe dehydration, infectious diseases, and syndromes such as marasmus. Malnutrition compromises the immune system, leading to a cycle of worsening health and increased susceptibility to infections.
Step-by-step explanation:
Patients who are malnourished on admission are at greater risk of complications such as severe dehydration, infectious diseases, and conditions like marasmus and kwashiorkor. Malnutrition affects the body's ability to fight infections due to a weakened immune system and can exacerbate conditions like diarrhea, vomiting, and fever, leading to a dangerous cycle of deteriorating health. Undernutrition, which is common in developing countries but also affects subpopulations in developed nations, is characterized by inadequate energy intake coupled with infectious diseases, often resulting in underweight individuals and growth failure in children.
Long-Term Effects of Malnutrition
The short-term impact of malnutrition during the critical period of immune system development can have long-lasting consequences on an individual's health. Children who survive famines or severe malnutrition face long-term effects that are harsher than those experienced by adults. A compromised immune system from an early age can significantly hinder the body's ability to maintain homeostasis and protect against infections later in life.