24/04/2026
PROTEIN ENERGY MALNUTRITION (PEM)
INTRODUCTION
PEM is one of the greatest public health problems in the world. It is a disease of the poor, underfed, ignorant and overpopulated people. It is important to note that there is a close relationship between malnutrition, low income, large families, and lack of education, sickness, mortality rates and re****ed growths.
DEFINITION
1) This is a range of pathologic conditions arising from lack of proteins and calories i the diet of infants and young children commonly associated with infection. (WHO 2009)
2) This is a condition which develops when the child is not getting enough energy or protein from his or her nutritional intake. (Encarta 2008)
CAUSES OF PEM
1. SOCIAL ECONOMIC FACTORS
β’ PEM is a disease of the poor and developing communities and disappears as people become affluent and educated.
β’ Under nutrition due to lack of food, therefore, when the standard of living is uplifted, the incidence of malnutrition reduces.
β’ Poverty-This may be due to alcoholism, low wages, unemployment and large families.
β’ Frequent pregnancies. When a woman does not space her children well whereby there is a short period separating them, she will not have adequate time to take care of the older child hence he will be deprived of nutrients.
β’ Working mothers-these mothers do not have adequate time for their children because they spend most of the time at work.
2. INFECTION
β’ Malnutrition can occur as a result of anorexia
β’ HIV infection-HIV infected children respond poorly to nutritional rehabilitation. Despite breast feeding, malnutrition occurs. The following contribute to loss of weight in HIV infected children: chronic diarrhoea accompanied by lactose intolerance, persistent respiratory infections, and Tuberculosis.
β’ Worm infestation and gastro enteritis also contribute to PEM
3. BREAST FEEDING
β’ Breast feeding for longer than one to two years is common in our African setting. The unfortunate part is that breast feeding
