Protein-Energy Malnutrition

Key Features

Essentials of Diagnosis

• Decreased intake of energy or protein, increased nutrient losses, or increased nutrient requirements

• Kwashiorkor: caused by protein deficiency

• Marasmus: caused by combined protein and energy deficiency

• Protein loss correlates with weight loss: 35–40% total body weight loss can be fatal

General Considerations

• Results from a relative or absolute deficiency of energy and protein

• May be primary, due to inadequate food intake, or secondary, as a result of other illness

• For many developing nations, primary protein–energy malnutrition remains a significant health problem

• It occurs in two distinct syndromes

  • Kwashiorkor

    • Caused by a deficiency of protein in the presence of adequate energy

    • Typically seen in weaning infants at the birth of a sibling where foods containing protein are insufficient

  • Marasmus

    • Caused by combined protein and energy deficiency

    • Seen where adequate quantities of food are not available

    • In industrialized societies, protein–energy malnutrition is most often secondary to other diseases

  • Kwashiorkor-like secondary protein–energy malnutrition occurs primarily in hypermetabolic acute illnesses such as

    • Trauma

    • Burns

    • Sepsis

  • Marasmus-like secondary protein–energy malnutrition typically results from chronic diseases such as

    • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

    • Heart failure

    • Cancer

    • AIDS

  • In both syndromes, protein–energy malnutrition is caused either by decreased intake of energy and protein or by increased nutrient losses related to the underlying illness

Clinical Findings

• Every organ system affected

• Loss of body weight, adipose stores, and skeletal muscle mass

• Loss of protein from skeletal muscle and internal organs is usually proportionate to weight loss

• Hepatic synthesis of serum proteins decreases, and depressed levels of circulating proteins are observed

• Cardiac output and contractility are decreased

• Respiratory function

  • Affected primarily by weakness and atrophy of the muscles of respiration

  • Vital capacity and tidal volume are depressed

  • Mucociliary clearance is abnormal

• Gastrointestinal tract

  • Affected by mucosal atrophy and loss of villi of the small intestine, resulting in malabsorption

  • Intestinal disaccharidase deficiency and mild pancreatic insufficiency also occur

• Changes in immunologic function are among the most important changes

  • T lymphocyte number and function are depressed

  • Changes in B cell function are more variable

  • Impaired complement activity, granulocyte function, and anatomic barriers to infection are noted

  • Wound healing is poor

• Dependent edema, ascites, or anasarca may develop

Diagnosis

• Serum albumin may be normal or slightly decreased, but rarely to < 2.8 g/dL (28 g/L)

• The serum protein level, however, typically declines and the serum albumin is often < 2.8 g/dL (28 g/L)

• ECG may show decreased voltage and a rightward axis shift

Treatment

• Severe protein–energy undernutrition

  • Initial efforts

    • Should be directed at correcting fluid and electrolyte abnormalities and infections

    • Of particular concern are depletion of potassium, magnesium, and calcium as well as acid-base abnormalities

  • Second phase of treatment

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