Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) is a condition in which there is an inappropriate loss of body cell mass due to a lack of dietary protein. It tends to be a childhood disorder, and deficiency of protein, energy and micronutrients are the primary causes. Studies show that almost 3 out of every 20 children are in a stunted state, and there are likely chances of problems in their growth and developmental potential due to deprivation of protein and energy. A large number of children suffering from PEM are likely to suffer from diarrhoea, malaria, anaemia and sepsis.
There are many symptoms that indicate that a person has protein energy malnutrition. However, unintended weight loss is the most highlighted symptom that shouldn’t be ignored and should be treated as soon as possible. Some other symptoms are:
Symptoms that are more common in children are:
PEM occurs when calorie intake is sufficient but protein intake is deficient. It is most common in pre-school aged children in developing countries. In severe cases, PEM is caused by starvation due to a deficiency of both protein and total calories. This disorder is manifested by:
A number of risk factors that your child is most likely to be having PEM are:
Treatment of protein-energy malnutrition can be done in three ways depending on the situation and severity of this nutritional disorder. They are:
Hospital Treatment: If a person with severe PEM has been hospitalized, then it can be treated by observing and controlling hypothermia, dehydration, hypoglycaemia and other vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
Rehabilitation: It is extremely important to give nutritional training to mothers in which they can learn about the appropriate diet by using local foods.
Dietary Management: The diet should be prepared from the available staple foods. This evenly distributed diet is the best treatment for children to recover from PEM.
Moreover, some nutritional supplements can also help in treating malnutrition. Adding some milk-based formulas can also be a helpful treatment.
There are some diverse factors that can affect a patient with PEM. However, there are some preventive measures, for instance, nutritional counselling, optimizing dietary intake, and implementing some hygiene practices, that can actually help in overcoming this disorder in children.