Nutritional Deficiency Diseases in Human

:

The important deficiency disorders include protein energy malnutrition (PEM) and disorders due to deficiencies of Vitamin A, iron and iodine. Defi­ciency of protein and energy or both, called PEM, has been identified as major health and nutritional problems in India.

Protein and energy intake are difficult to separate because diets adequate in energy are adequate in protein. Young children (0-6 years) require more protein for each kilogram of body weight than adults. So they are more prone to malnutrition. Malnutrition is not only an important cause of childhood mortality and morbidity, but it also leads to permanent impairment of physical and mental growth of those who survive.

(i) PEM:

It is an important nutritional problem among pre-school children. It leads to various degrees of growth retardation. This is due to lack of adequate quantity of protein or carbohydrate or both.

PEM is of 2 types: Kwashiorkor and Marasmus.

The child suffering from PEM can recover if adequate quantities of protein and carbo­hydrate rich food are given.

(ii) Night blindness and Xerophthalmia:

These diseases are due to deficiency of vitamin A.

(iii) Anaemia:

This disease is caused by deficiency of iron.

(iv) Goitre:

Goitre is caused due to deficiency of iodine in food. In addition to above mentioned deficiency diseases, the following deficiency diseases may be mentioned. Name of deficient is written in the bracket. Rickets in children and osteomalacia in adult (vitamin D), muscular dystrophy (vitamin E), Beri beri (B1), Cheilosis (B2), Pellagra (vitamin B3), Megaloblastic anaemia (Folic acid), Pernicious anaemia (B12), Scurvy (vitamin C).