Protein energy malnutrition historical perspective
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Omodamola Aje B.Sc, M.D. [2]
Overview
The first clinical description of protein-energy malnutrition was made in 1865 in Spanish language which led to little dissemination of the information. In 1932, kwashiorkor was first described by Dr. Cicely Williams, working with African children on the Gold Coast. The word kwashiorkor comes from the Ga language of Accra, Ghana meaning the 'disease of the deposed baby when the next one is born'. The term marasmus is derived from the Greek word 'marasmos', which means withering or wasting.
Historical Perspective
- Prior to 1959, the term protein-energy malnutrition (PEM), or protein-calorie malnutrition was attributed principally to dietary deficiency and therefore it could be prevented or treated by dietary measures alone.[1]
- The disease called kwashiorkor in the "Ga" language of Accra, Ghana means ‘the disease of the deposed baby’. The term signifies sickness an elder child may suffer from when a younger one is born.[2]
- In 1932, kwashiorkor was first described by Dr. Cicely Williams, while working with African children on the Gold Coast.[3]
- Williams identified a relationship between the low-protein maize diet of the children and the occurrence of the protein-energy malnutrition.[3]
- In 1933, kwashiorkor was first described in the classic way as a ‘well-marked syndrome of the deposed infant’ in the literature.[4]
- In the 1950s kwashiorkor became a major topic of debate in medicine, in South Africa and also in the international arena.
- In 1970s, nutritionists were the first to focus on the development of high protein foods for weaning the disease.
- The term marasmus is a derivative of the 'marasmos', a Greek word. This ancient word means withering or wasting, that is thought to be used for the same conditions in ancient Greek.[5]
References
- ↑ Keusch GT (2003). "The history of nutrition: malnutrition, infection and immunity". J. Nutr. 133 (1): 336S–340S. PMID 12514322.
- ↑ "Feeding practices and malnutrition at the Princess Marie Louise Children's hospital, Accra: what has changed after 80 years? | BMC Nutrition | Full Text".
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Heikens GT, Manary M (2009). "75 years of Kwashiorkor in Africa". Malawi Med J. 21 (3): 96–8. PMC 3717488. PMID 20345016.
- ↑ "Mother and Child Health: Delivering the Services - Cicely D. Williams, Naomi Baumslag, Derrick Brian Jelliffe - Google Books".
- ↑ Theoharides TC (1971). "Galen on marasmus". J Hist Med Allied Sci. 26 (4): 369–90. PMID 4946290.