What are the symptoms of malnutrition?

Living conditions in modern society have gradually improved, and the number of people with malnutrition has decreased compared to the old society. However, not all people with good material conditions will not suffer from malnutrition. On the contrary, some people may suffer from malnutrition because they can eat what they want and thus reduce their intake of nutrients from other foods. Children who are picky eaters and don’t eat well are more likely to show signs of malnutrition.
Among infants and young children under three years old, malnutrition is more likely to occur. Once malnutrition occurs, it may cause damage to the body's organs. If the organ function is impaired, the absorption of food nutrients will be less, thus forming a vicious circle. Symptoms of malnutrition include:

Clinical manifestations of wasting malnutrition:

It is more common in infants under 1 year old. Failure to gain weight is an early sign of malnutrition. Afterwards, the weight gradually decreases. The main symptoms of the child are emaciation, gradual reduction and even disappearance of subcutaneous fat, dry and pale skin, wrinkled and loose facial skin, dry hair, and contracture of the limbs. The order of subcutaneous fat consumption is first the abdomen, then the trunk, buttocks, limbs, and finally the cheeks. In the early stages of malnutrition, height is not affected, but as the condition worsens, bone growth slows down and height becomes lower than normal. In mild malnutrition , the mental state is normal, but in severe malnutrition, there may be mental depression, poor reaction, low body temperature, weak pulse, loss of appetite, and alternating diarrhea and constipation. Severe malnutrition may cause damage to the functions of important organs.

Clinical manifestations of edema malnutrition:

Edema-type malnutrition caused by severe protein deficiency, also known as kwashiorkor, can be seen in children aged 1 to 3 years old. Due to edema, nutritional status could not be assessed by body weight. The edema may range from slight depression on the dorsum of the foot to systemic, often accompanied by hepatomegaly and sparse, easily falling hair.

Clinical manifestations of emaciation-edema malnutrition are between the above two types.

Once symptoms of malnutrition appear, it is easy to develop complications due to malnutrition, such as anemia, low immunity, etc. When the body's resistance decreases, it is easy to be infected by bacteria. Some children may suffer from hypoglycemia due to malnutrition. Low blood sugar can cause mild depression or even shock.