112 Where There Is No Doctor 2011
HOW TO RECOGNIZE MALNUTRITION
Among poor people, malnutrition is often most severe in children, who need
lots of nutritious food to grow well and stay healthy. There are different forms of
malnutrition:
MILD MALNUTRITION
This is the most common form, but it is not always obvious.
The child simply does not grow or gain weight as fast as a well-
nourished child. Although he may appear rather small and thin,
he usually does not look sick. However, because he is poorly
nourished, he may lack strength (resistance) to fight infections.
So he becomes more seriously ill and takes longer to get well
than a well nourished child.
Children with this form of malnutrition suffer more from
diarrhea and colds. Their colds usually last longer and are more
likely to turn into pneumonia. Measles, tuberculosis, and many
other infectious diseases are far more dangerous for these
malnourished children. More of them die.
It is important that children like these get special care and enough food before they
become seriously ill. This is why regular weighing or measuring around the middle
upper arm of young children is so important. It helps us to recognize mild malnutrition
early and correct it.
Follow the guidelines for preventing malnutrition.
SEVERE MALNUTRITION
This occurs most often in babies who stopped breastfeeding early or suddenly,
and who are not given sufficient high energy foods often enough. Severe malnutrition
often starts when a child has diarrhea or another infection. We can usually recognize
children who are severely malnourished without taking any measurements. The 2 main
examples are:
DRY MALNUTRITION—OR MARASMUS
This child does not get enough of
any kind of food. He is said to have dry
malnutrition or marasmus. In other words,
he is starved. His body is small, very thin
and wasted. He is little more than skin
and bones.
This child needs more food—especially
energy foods.
THIS CHILD IS JUST SKIN AND BONES.