Marasmus diagnosis

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• Marasmus

First steps in Marasmus diagnoses are through physical examination and anthropometric calculations. Some of the features that are diagnosable in a physical exam are severe wasting and stunting, appearing abnormally thin. Wasting is calculated through measuring weight for height. If the child is 2 standard deviations from the WHO standard, they are considered wasted. Stunting is calculated the same way, however, it is based on height for age ratios. Measurements are also taken via the middle-upper arm circumference (MUAC). After physical examination and measurements, blood tests can be done to determine protein deficiency as well as deficiencies in other major minerals and vitamins. This helps determine the nutritional status and if there are any indicators of marasmus. In extreme cases of infection, stool samples and blood counts are conducted. Since Marasmus is a type of nutritional condition that is often associated with kwashiorkor, some providers will see if edema is present to confirm that it is Marasmus. Presence of edema is associated with kwashiorkor, not marasmus.