protein-energy malnutrition

Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) is a nutritional deficiency disease caused by insufficient food supply or disease factors. Clinically, it manifests as marasmus and kwashiorkor. Marasmus results from a long-term deficiency of calories, protein, and other nutrients in the diet, or from the patient's impaired digestion, absorption, and utilization of food. This type is primarily characterized by energy deficiency, accompanied by protein deficiency, manifesting as progressive emaciation, reduced subcutaneous fat, edema, and dysfunction of various organs. Kwashiorkor manifests as a prominent deficiency of protein in the diet while energy supply is adequate, mainly presenting as nutritional edema. However, most patients fall between the two types; mild chronic protein-energy malnutrition is often overlooked, and it affects the growth, development, and immune function of children, making them prone to illness and difficult to recover.