Diagnosis of acute malnutrition is based on arm circumference and weight for height because clinical manifestations are often difficult to recognize. If either arm circumference or weight is lower than the threshold, acute malnutrition is diagnosed.

Protein-energy malnutrition is an important issue for improving the health of children in developing countries and in Vietnam today. This is a pathological condition caused by infection, occurring when the diet is poor in protein and energy for a long time, leading to slow physical and mental development of children.

Marasmus is one of the severe forms of malnutrition in children. In this form of malnutrition, children have a weight less than 60% or -4SD compared to the normal weight of children of the same age. Children are emaciated, bony, skin and bones, with faces like those of old people because there is no fat layer under the skin, abdomen, buttocks and cheeks.

Protein-energy malnutrition is an important type of malnutrition, with few other diseases comparable in terms of public health significance. All forms of protein-energy malnutrition are associated with dietary deficiencies of protein and energy to varying degrees.

Malnourished babies in the womb will encounter major obstacles in their development, and the risk of premature birth, stillbirth, birth defects and developmental delays is much higher than normal.

Lack of important nutrients and minerals can cause malnutrition in children. This condition can have serious consequences such as slow physical and mental development, weak resistance, and increased mortality in children under 5 years old.

The average weight of a healthy newborn baby is 3kg and the height is about 50cm. If the baby weighs less than 2.5kg, it may be premature or have fetal malnutrition.

Children with protein deficiency malnutrition will have slow physical and mental development. So what is protein-energy malnutrition? What causes protein deficiency malnutrition?

Severe malnutrition in children is a pathological condition related to the body's growth arrest, which is extremely dangerous. It is considered one of the emergency situations in children that needs to be treated promptly and properly, otherwise it will leave serious complications for the patient.