Key Difference: Kwashiorkor is a form of malnutrition that is caused

due to insufficient intake of proteins, whereas Marasmus is caused due

to insufficient intake of proteins, fats and carbohydrates.
Kwashiorkor and Marasmus both fall in category of malnutrition. Malnutrition is a serious condition
occurred due to insufficient intake of nutrients in the diet. The
word Kwashiorkor comes from an African word meaning first
child second child. Kwashiorkor is a kind of malnutrition
that is most often found in children. It is primarily caused due
to insufficient intake of proteins. However, it do not have any
relation with the amount of calories intake i.e. may be a
person is having a high calorie food but specifically less
proteins then in that case the person is prone to Kwashiorkor.
This kind of malnutrition is primarily found in developing
countries. Due to poverty, children are deprived of the
necessary proteins in diet and therefore suffer from malnutrition like kwashiorkor. It stunts growth and
children tend to have bloated bellies and thin arms and legs. Kwashiorkor is also known by names like
protein malnutrition, protein-calorie malnutrition or malignant malnutrition. It is very rare in children of
developed countries like the United States of America.
Marasmus is also a kind of malnutrition that occurs due to deficiency of proteins, carbohydrates and fats
in the diet. In marasmus the child consumes little or no
food leading to minimal caloric intake and also a total
lack of nutrients. It is also caused due to metabolic and
genetic problems which make the body incapable of
absorbing the necessary nutrients. Due to lack of
nutrients, the body starts consuming own tissues, fats
and muscle. Breast feeding helps in preventing the
disease. It mainly affects children who are weaned away
from mothers milk.
They are both types of malnutrition but the main difference is that kwashiorkor is caused by deficiency of
proteins and the marasmus is caused by deficiency of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Sometimes the
symptoms of kwashiorkor are so mild that it is difficult to recognize the patient of this malnutrition, but on
the other hand a marasmus patient can be easily identified at a glance. Both types of malnutrition are very
dangerous and can cause severe effects. Thus, timely treatment should be provided and special attention
should be given to the diet of the children. Another kind of malnutrition that is related to kwashiorkor and
marasmus is known as Marasmic kwashiorkor. Marasmic kwashiorkor is a form of malnutrition that lies in
between kwashiorkor and marasmus, as is clear by its name. Kwashiorkor and marasmus can be
differentiated primarily on the basis of symptoms, causes and treatment. The table below mentions these
important differences:-

Kwashiorkor

Marasmus

Definition

Symptoms

Kwashiorkor is a kind of malnutrition. It is

Marasmus is a kind of malnutrition that

primarily caused due to insufficient intake of

occurs due to deficiency of proteins,

proteins.

carbohydrates and fats in the diet.

Large belly sticking out, diarrhea, change in

Peeling and alternately pigmented skin, hair

skin pigment, decreased muscle mass,

loss, edema or swelling, skin folds are

diarrhea, failure to gain weight and grow,

formed, etc.

fatigue, hair changes, etc.

Affecting

Generally children of age 1-5 years

Generally children under the age 1

Main causes

Weaned from mothers milk to a diet low in

Failed breastfeeding, feeding inadequate

protein

infant formula or suffering from some

disease like diarrhea

Wasting of

Not evident

Quite evident

Yes, due to retention of fluids

No

Providing carbohydrates followed by high

Providing a nutritious, well-balanced diet

protein foods. Dried milk specially.

with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables,

muscles
Bloated
belly
Treatment

grains, and protein. Especially adding

Vitamin B to the diet.