marasmus

marasmus
—marasmic, adj. —marasmoid, adj.
/meuh raz"meuhs/, n. Pathol.
malnutrition occurring in infants and young children, caused by insufficient intake of calories or protein and characterized by thinness, dry skin, poor muscle development, and irritability.
[1650-60; < NL < Gk marasmós a wasting away, akin to maraínein to weaken, waste away]

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      a form of protein-energy malnutrition occurring chiefly among very young children in developing countries, particularly under famine conditions, in which a mother's milk supply is greatly reduced. Marasmus results from the inadequate intake of both protein and calories; persons with a similar type of protein-energy malnutrition, kwashiorkor, do not obtain enough protein but still consume a moderate number of calories. Marasmus is characterized by growth retardation (in weight more than in height) and progressive wasting of subcutaneous fat and muscle. Other symptoms may include diarrhea; dehydration; behavioral changes; dry, loose skin; and dry, brittle hair. Marasmus can be treated with a high-calorie, protein-rich diet. Severe, prolonged marasmus may result in permanent mental retardation (intellectual disability) and impaired growth.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • marasmus — ma*ras mus, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ?, to quench, as fire; pass., to die away.] (Med.) A wasting of flesh without fever or apparent disease; a kind of consumption; atrophy; phthisis. [1913 Webster] Pining atrophy, Marasmus, and wide wasting… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Marasmus — (v. gr.), Welkwerden, Abzehrung, Auszehrung; M. senilis, das Schwinden der Kräfte im Greisenalter …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Marásmus — (griech.), im allgemeinen soviel wie Auszehrung, besonders (M. senilis) Altersschwäche; marantisch, an M. leidend, entkräftet, erschöpft …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • Marásmus — (lat.), körperliche Entkräftung infolge von Krankheiten etc.; M. senīlis, Altersschwäche …   Kleines Konversations-Lexikon

  • marasmus — wasting away of the body, 1650s, Modern Latin, from Gk. marasmos a wasting away, withering, decay, from marainein to quench, weaken, wither, from PIE root *mer to rub away, harm (see MORBID (Cf. morbid)). Maras (n.) evidently in the same sense is …   Etymology dictionary

  • marasmus — [mə raz′məs] n. [ML < Gr marasmos, a wasting away < marainein, to quench, cause to waste away: see MARE3] a condition of progressive emaciation, esp. in infants, as from inability to assimilate food marasmic adj …   English World dictionary

  • Marasmus — Klassifikation nach ICD 10 E41 Alimentärer Marasmus Erhebliche Mangelernährung mit Marasmus E42 Kwashiorkor Marasmus Erhebliche Energie un …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Marasmus — Not to be confused with Marasmius. Marasmus Classification and external resources Child suffering with Marasmus in India ICD 10 E …   Wikipedia

  • Marasmus — Ma|ras|mus der; , ...men <über nlat. marasmus aus gr. marasmós »das Schwachwerden, Abnehmen der Lebenskraft« zu maraínein »ausdörren, verzehren«> allgemeiner geistig körperlicher Kräfteverfall (Med.); Marasmus senilis: Kräfteverfall im… …   Das große Fremdwörterbuch

  • Marasmus — Wasting away, as occurs with children who have kwashiorkor. Also called cachexia, is usually a result of protein and calorie deficiency. * * * Cachexia, especially in young children, primarily due to prolonged dietary deficiency of protein and… …   Medical dictionary

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