Protein-Energy Malnutrition Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Protein-energy malnutrition (MEP) is a nutritional disorder experienced by children, which is characterized by malnutrition. This nutritional disorder is specifically intended to describe children who are deficient in energy and protein intake. In fact, without adequate nutrition, the function of the body’s organs will be disrupted and the child’s growth and development process can also be disrupted.
MEP is divided into two, namely:
- MEP mild to moderate degree (often called malnutrition)
- MEP is severe (often called malnutrition).
This protein energy malnutrition will mainly discuss malnutrition. Furthermore, malnutrition is also divided into three types, namely marasmus, kwashiorkor, or a mixture of marasmus-kwashiorkor.
Symptoms
In marasmus-type protein-energy malnutrition, children look very thin. In addition, his hair looks like corn hair, the bones in the body are clearly visible, and the skin is wrinkled.
In protein-energy malnutrition of the kwashiorkor type, the child looks swollen, has a bulging belly, and enlarged limbs. In addition, brown spots will appear on the skin that peel off easily and hair falls out easily.
Whereas in mixed-type protein-energy malnutrition, symptoms of marasmus and kwashiorkor appear together.
Reason
The most common cause of malnutrition is inadequate nutritional intake. Another cause is a severe infection experienced by children.
In marasmus-type malnutrition, the disturbance in nutritional intake experienced is a lack of carbohydrates. Meanwhile, in the kwashiorkor type of malnutrition, the nutritional disorder that occurs is protein deficiency.
Diagnosis
Assessment of malnutrition is done by measuring body weight and height. Furthermore, this will be matched with WHO’s weight-for-height (BB/TB) curve.
If the weight/height is below -3 SD according to the WHO curve, then this ensures that a child is experiencing protein energy malnutrition. In addition, it is necessary to check blood sugar, check iron, X-rays, and the Mantoux test.
Treatment
Protein-energy malnutrition should be treated in the hospital. Treatment is carried out through three phases, namely: stabilization, transition, and rehabilitation phases.
The rehabilitation phase itself consists of 10 steps, namely:
- Provide fluids and electrolytes to prevent dehydration
- Provide food intake to prevent low blood sugar
- Overcome electrolyte disturbances
- Prevent children from getting cold
- Administration of antibiotics
- Administration of vitamin A
- Providing multivitamins and minerals
- Feeding to pursue growth
- Stimulates the child’s development
- A follow-up plan to prevent malnutrition from occurring again
Prevention
To prevent protein-energy malnutrition, there are several steps that need to be taken, namely:
- Ensuring children get adequate food intake with a balanced healthy nutritional pattern (containing carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals) throughout their growth period.
- Monitor the growth and development of children regularly.
- If you experience an infection, immediately go to the doctor to get the right treatment.