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Immunological Aspects of Infectious Diseases pp 201–213Cite as

Immune Status of the Malnourished Host

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Abstract

The severely malnourished child with marasmus or kwashiorkor has an increased morbidity and mortality secondary to his increased susceptibility to infection1–3. Children develop these syndromes as primary and secondary disease states. Children develop marasmus as a result of severe deprivation of both protein and calories, leading to growth retardation, weight loss, muscular atrophy and loss of subcutaneous tissue (Figure 6.1). Children develop kwashiorkor as a result of acute protein loss or deprivation. They have a clinical picture characterized by edema, skin lesions, hair changes, apathy, anorexia, an enlarged fatty liver and decreased serum total protein and albumin (Figure 6.2). These children have abundant subcutaneous fat and recover rapidly on a high-protein diet. Children with marasmus-kwashiorkor have clinical and biochemical parameters which lie somewhere between those with marasmus and those with kwashiorkor.

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Authors
  1. R. M. Suskind
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. London University, London, England

    George Dick (Professor of Pathology, Honorary Consultant, Assistant Director, Postgraduate Dean) (Professor of Pathology, Honorary Consultant, Assistant Director, Postgraduate Dean)

  2. Institute of Child Health, London, England

    George Dick (Professor of Pathology, Honorary Consultant, Assistant Director, Postgraduate Dean) (Professor of Pathology, Honorary Consultant, Assistant Director, Postgraduate Dean)

  3. British Postgraduate Medical Federation, London, England

    George Dick (Professor of Pathology, Honorary Consultant, Assistant Director, Postgraduate Dean) (Professor of Pathology, Honorary Consultant, Assistant Director, Postgraduate Dean)

  4. S. W. Thames Regional Health Authority, London, England

    George Dick (Professor of Pathology, Honorary Consultant, Assistant Director, Postgraduate Dean) (Professor of Pathology, Honorary Consultant, Assistant Director, Postgraduate Dean)

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Suskind, R.M. (1979). Immune Status of the Malnourished Host. In: Dick, G. (eds) Immunological Aspects of Infectious Diseases. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-6191-6_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-6191-6_6

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