malnutrition

Inadequate nutrition, especially in children, which may involve all or parts of the diet (marasmus), or may be predominantly of proteins (kwashiorkor) or vitamins (pellagra, beriberi, rickets, scurvy). In marasmus, essential factors for metabolism are derived from the breakdown of body tissues; extreme wasting and growth failure result. In adults, starvation is less rapid in onset, as the demands of growth are absent, but similar metabolic changes occur.

Related category

• HEALTH AND DISEASE

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