A form of severe malnutrition caused by inadequate intake of both calories and protein, resulting in extreme wasting and emaciation. Children appear skeletal with prominent ribs and sunken eyes.
From Greek 'marasmos' meaning 'a wasting away' or 'withering,' derived from 'marainein' meaning 'to waste away.' The term has been used in medicine since ancient times to describe progressive wasting.
Marasmus children look like 'old men in miniature' because they lose subcutaneous fat while retaining alertness, unlike kwashiorkor where children appear swollen and lethargic! The body essentially cannibalizes its own tissues to survive, preserving brain function as long as possible.
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