... form malnutrition due to hunger. * Protein-energy malnutrition - This is most common in the poorer countries of the developing world. It is seen mainly in children when they are weaned from milk, to a diet, which is often low in protein. These children grow slowly, and have high mortality rates. Two extreme cases of protein-energy malnutrition are marasmus and kwashiorkhor. Marasmus is often the result of early weaning to a diet low in both protein and energy. Sufferers are extremely underweight, experience muscle wastage and their skin is wrinkled and they appear old in the face. Kwashiorkhor is linked to a more severe protein shortage, and often appears in slightly older children. This is a difficult condition from which to recover because, not only is there liver damage, but the children become apathetic and lose their appetite. Sufferers are under-weight, have dry, brittle hair, a swollen abdomen due to an ...

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