Question

What are deficiency diseases? Mention two diseases of children caused due to deficiency of macronutrients and their symptoms. [5 Marks]

Answer 1

Deficiency diseases are those diseases which are caused by lack of certain nutrients in the food over a long period. These diseases can affect both children and adults if the deficiency of nutrients persists. [1 Mark]
There are two major deficiency diseases that affect children:

1. Kwashiorkor – It is caused due to a severe deficiency of protein in children of the age 1-5 years. It is usually caused when a mother stops breast-feeding her child at a young age and the later diet consists majorly of carbohydrates and poor in proteins. [1 Mark]
   Symptoms: Underweight, protruding belly, oedema (swelling) of feet and face, skin getting dark and scaly. [1 Mark]
2. Marasmus – It is caused due to sudden stoppage of breast-feeding in infants below 1 year of age and subsequent feeding of a diet poor in energy-giving nutrients like carbohydrates, fats and proteins. [1 Mark]
   Symptoms: Underweight, degeneration of muscles, thinning of limbs, loosely folded skin, ribs become prominently visible. [1 Mark]