| Feature | Kwashiorkor | Marasmus |
| Growth failure | Present | Present |
| Wasting | Present | Present, marked |
| Oedema | Present (sometimes mild) | Absent |
| Hair changes | Common | Less common |
| Mental changes | Very common | Uncommon |
| Dermatosis, flaky-paint | Common | Does not occur |
| Appetite | Poor | Good |
| Anaemia | Severe (sometimes) | Present, less severe |
| Subcutaneous fat | Reduced but present | Absent |
| Face | May be oedematous | Drawn in, monkey-like |
| Fatty infiltration of liver | Present | Absent |
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Comparison of the features of kwashiorkor and marasmus
