Protein Energy Malnutrition

Short Description About Protein Energy Malnutrition, Its Clinical And Biochemical Changes.
Basics For 1st Year MBBS Students

1. Protein Energy Malnutrition Shubham Gupta 1 st MBBS Dept. of Biochemistry

2. Learning Objectives Short description and Introduction about Protein. What is Protein Energy Malnutrition? Description about Kwashiorkor? Description about Marasmus? Difference between Kwashiorkor and Marasmus? Treatment.

3. Introduction Protein are the Polymers of Amino Acids . Proteins are regarded as “ Body- Building Foods” . Also as “ Working horses” of the cell. 10-15% of total body energy is derived from protein. Functions of Protein :- Cell structure and functions. Enzymes , hormones, immunoglobulins , transport carriers etc. are Proteins. -Maintenance of osmotic pressure . - Clotting of blood. - Muscle contraction .

4. Protein Energy Malnutrition Deficiency of protein may lead to Protein Energy Malnutrition(PEM) or Protein Calorie Malnutrition(PCM). Forms of PEM or PCM :- Kwashiorkor Marasmus

5. Kwashiorkor Literally means : Sickness of deposed child, i.e.- a disease the child gets when next baby is born. Cause :- Low protein intake. Occurrence :- Pre-school children. Clinical symptoms :- Moon face Abdomen- protruding Edema Diarrhea Apathy Anemia

6. Biochemical manifestation :- Plasma Albumin concentration :- Decreased (<2 g/dl, normal : 3-4.5 g/dl) Serum Cortisol :- Decreased or may be normal Serum K + :- Decreased Plasma retinol binding protein (RBP) :- reduced. Edema – due to lack of plasma proteins. Immunological response – very low. Treatment :- - Ingestion of Protein-rich foods (3-4 g of protein/kg body weight/day)

7. Marasmus Literally means : To waste. Cause :- Deficiency of Calories. Occurrence :- Weaned infants (<1 yr) Clinical symptoms :- Old man’s like face. Abdomen- Shrunken. Edema – Absent. Severe growth retardation. Muscle wasting.

8. Biochemical manifestations :- Serum Albumin :- Decreased( 2-3 g/dl). Serum Cortisol :- Increased Serum K + :- Normal No edema +nt. Treatment :- Ingestion High calorific diet .

9. Summary Deficiency of protein may lead to Protein Energy Malnutrition(PEM) or Protein Calorie Malnutrition(PCM). Kwashiorkor is caused due to Protein deficiency while Marasmus is caused due to calorie deficiency . Treatment of Kwashiorkor- Protein rich diet and treatment of Marasmus- Calorie rich diet .