Caused by inadequate dietary intake of nutrients. This is heavily tied to socioeconomic factors, food insecurity, poverty, ignorance, and early weaning.

Distributing Vitamin A capsules, iron supplements, and iodized salt to vulnerable communities.

Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) is a form of malnutrition that occurs when the body does not receive enough protein and energy to meet its nutritional needs. This can happen when the diet is deficient in protein-rich foods, such as meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products, or when the body is not able to absorb these nutrients properly. PEM can affect people of all ages, but it is most common in children under the age of five, particularly in areas where food is scarce or where there is a lack of access to nutrient-rich foods.

Administer IV or oral dextrose immediately. Keep the child fed every 2 hours.

When listing symptoms in your PPT, group them into physical and metabolic categories:

Serum Albumin and Prealbumin (indicators of visceral protein status).

For clinical presentations, detailing the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for the inpatient management of severe malnutrition is highly critical. This structured approach is divided into an initial stabilization phase and a subsequent rehabilitation phase. Phase 1: Stabilization (Days 1–7)

Loss of skeletal muscle, causing weakness [Source: PMC81630 ].

Keep the child warm using clothing, blankets, or the kangaroo care method. Ensure the room stays warm. 3. Treat/Prevent Dehydration

This is an intermediate form displaying a mixture of both conditions. A child with underlying marasmus (severe wasting) develops pitting edema due to a superimposed acute protein deficit or systemic infection. 5. Diagnostic Evaluation

: Low birth weight, frequent infections (diarrhea, pneumonia), and early weaning from breast milk [1, 10, 11]. Social & Economic