Explain Protein Energy Malnutrition.

Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) is a serious condition characterized by inadequate intake of protein and/or energy (calories) relative to the body's needs, leading to impaired growth, development, and functioning. PEM encompasses a spectrum of disorders, including marasmus and kwashiorkor, which primarily affect children in low-resource settings with limited access to nutritious food and healthcare.

Marasmus is a form of severe acute malnutrition characterized by severe wasting, loss of muscle mass, and overall growth retardation, resulting from prolonged inadequate intake of both protein and calories. Kwashiorkor, on the other hand, typically occurs in children after weaning from breastfeeding and is characterized by edema, dermatosis, hepatomegaly, and hair changes, resulting from severe protein deficiency despite adequate calorie intake.

PEM compromises immune function, increases susceptibility to infections, delays wound healing, impairs cognitive development, and increases the risk of morbidity and mortality, particularly in children under five years of age. Addressing PEM requires a comprehensive approach that includes improving access to nutritious food, promoting breastfeeding, providing essential healthcare services, and addressing underlying social and economic determinants of malnutrition.