Malnutrition in Children: Causes, Symptoms and Prevention

By Abdulkareem Taoheedah kehinde
Malnutrition remains one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality among children throughout the world. Approximately 9% of children below 5 years of age suffer from wasting and are at risk of death or severe improvement of growth and psychological development.
Malnutrition is defined as the lack of adequate nourishment needed to grow and for proper functioning of the body systems. Children with malnutrition are at risk of developing diseases, death and unproductive in the future. As stated by UNICEF, about 6 million children in West and Central Africa from severe acute malnutrition. Issues such as lack of access to good healthcare, water, sanitation, and infrastructure are responsible for increased malnutrition in underdeveloped countries.

A child suffering from malnutrition (Source: https://www.unicef.org/wca/malnutrition)

Childhood malnutrition: Causes and SymptomsProtein Energy malnutrition [PEM]: This is primarily caused by a deficiency in the intake of protein. PEM can also result from complications like AIDS, chronic kidney failure, inflammatory bowel disease and other illnesses that impair the body ability to absorb or utilize nutrients.
Causes

• Poverty
• War and famine which often times make food unavailable
• Ignorant on nutrient requirement for children
• Poor living conditions leading to consultation of contaminated foods and subsequent exposure to infection frequently.

Symptoms

• Muscle wasting
• The belly may look prominent
• The skills develop more slowly

Marasmus: This is a severe form of protein-energy malnutrition that results when a person does not consume enough protein and calories . Without these vital nutrients, energy levels become dangerously low and vital functions begin to stop. Both adults and children can have marasmus, but it most often affects young children in developing countries.
Causes

• Not having enough nutrition or having too little food.
• Consuming the wrong nutrients or too much of one and not enough of another.
• Inability to absorb or process nutrients correctly.

Symptoms

• An acute loss of body fat and muscle tissues, leading to an unusually low body mass index (BMI).
• Stunted growth.
• Severe hunger
• Anorexia

Kwashiorkor: This is another severe form of protein-energy malnutrition where the main deficiency is protein. Severe cases of malnutrition can lead to kwashiorkor. Unlike marasmus, kwashiorkor causes the body to retain fluid in the lower legs, feet, arms, hands, and face, leading to a swollen appearance.

Causes

• Eating foods containing low protein contents
• Natural disasters, terrorism and war
• Diseases such as HIV/AIDS
• Lack of nutritional knowledge

Symptoms

• Loss of Appetite
• Changes in skin colour
• Protruded belly and lack of muscles in arms and legs
• Dehydration 

Prevention of Malnutrition

• Eating balanced diet
• Exclusive Breastfeeding infants for 6 months can help protect them from nutritional difficulties, especially in places where food is short.
• Taking nutrients supplements in case of nutrient deficiency.
• Cooking foods at high heat to destroy bacteria and reheating cold food before eating.
• Boiling water before drinking, cooking, or bathing in areas that lack clean water
• Visit medical personnel if there is changes in the weight or feeding habits in the child.