marasmus

a wasting condition in infants usually caused by defective feeding. The child has a low body weight (less than 75 percent of normal), lacks skin fat and is pale and apathetic. Various disorders and diseases can bring this about, including prolonged VOMITING and DIARRHOEA , organ disease, e.g. of the HEART , KIDNEYS and LUNGS ; infections and parasitic diseases and MALABSORPTION . Treatment depends on the cause but the provision and gradual increase of nourishment and fluids is always of primary importance.