Question

When breast feeding is replaced by less nutritive food low in proteins and calories; the infants below the age of one year are likely to suffer from

(a) marasmus 

(b) rickets

(c) kwashiorkor 

(d) pellagra

Answer 1

Correct Option (c) kwashiorkor 

Explanation:

Prolonged starvation causes marasmus disease due to a generalised wasting of body because of both energy and protein deficiency. The body becomes lean and weak, eyes depressed and skin wrinkled.

Kwashiorkor is a disease caused by continued deficiency of proteins in diet although energy intake may be adequate.

Rickets (in children) occurs due to the deficiency of vitamin-D.

Pellagra occurs due to the deficiency of nicotinamide (vitamin-B₅).