Health encyclopaedia

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Symptoms of Malnutrition

In babies, toddlers and young children, malnutrition prevents normal health and means that they may not grow to the right height for their age. The immune system does not work properly and the children are more likely to contract infections.

Kwashiorkor is a severe type of malnutrition that occurs in poor or developing countries. Children affected have stunted growth and swollen bellies from the accumulation of fluid in the tissues. Their skin sometimes flakes off and hair becomes sparse and brittle. This results from a diet low in calories, proteins and certain essential micronutrients – normally protein keeps fluid from leaking out of the bloodstream into the tissues. Physical and mental development are stunted and health is generally poor.

Vitamin and mineral deficiencies cause a wide range of medical problems. These include beriberi and pellagra (vitamin B deficiency), anaemia (iron deficiency), scurvy (vitamin C deficiency), rickets (vitamin D deficiency), bleeding tendencies, severe eye dryness (xerophthalmia) and corneal melting (vitamin A deficiency). Globally, hundreds of thousands of children go blind every year from corneal melting and perforation.

• Macular degenerationMagnesium testMalariaMale contraceptive pillMalignant melanomaMalnutritionMarfan syndromeMastectomyMastitisMénière’s diseaseMeaslesMeningitisMenopauseMental healthMental health servicesMental health specialist servicesMicroalbumin testMigraineMiscarriageMMRMobile phone safetyMolesMolluscum contagiosumMorning sicknessMotor neurone diseaseMouth ulcerMRI scanMRSAMucositisMultiple myelomaMultiple sclerosisMumpsMunchausen’s syndromeMuscular dystrophyMyasthenia gravis

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