Another common condition caused by the undernutrition is marasmus. Originally this was thought to be duet to a lack of energy in the diet, but it may not be as clear cut as this, as discussed below. The appearance of a child suffering from some symptoms of marasmus is shown in the fig. and can be compared with the child suffering from kwashiorkor. Followings are the signs and symptoms of protein disease marasmus:

As we have learned more about malnutrition caused by undereating , the distinctions between the causes of marasmus and kwashiorkor have become less and less clear. Different children in the same family have developed t he two different conditions while feeding on the dame diet, and sometimes a child develops marasmus after kwashiorkor. The child in the fig shows the thin limbs associated with the kwashiorkor. There is a tendency to refer to both conditions now simply as malnutrition or protein energy malnutrition (PEM). This always involves stunted growth and reduced resistance to infectious diseases.