Protein energy malnutrition is one of the major manifestations of nutritional deficiencies. Signs and symptoms include the following:

• Diminished growth
• Inappropriate weight gain
• Significant changes in behavior, characterized by anxiety, poor attention, apathy, irritability and decreased attention span

Other signs and symptoms differ, based on the type of micronutrient deficiency that has set in. These include the following [7]:

• Iodine: Development of goiter and mental retardation 
• Iron: Anemia, fatigue, tiredness, reduced cognitive functioning and headache
• Vitamin A: Poor eye sight, night blindness and poor hair growth [8]
• Vitamin D: Poor bone health, hypocalcemia and rickets

The following tests are carried out, to diagnose the type of malnutrition and its associated conditions that have set in:

• Blood work to obtain complete blood profile of the affected individual. This would include sedimentation rate, and serum electrolyte analysis.
• Urinalysis and stool culture are also carried out, to determine the cause of infection that has caused malnutrition to develop.
• Thyroid functions tests, and sweat chloride tests, would also be required, if the high velocity values are abnormal.
• In children who have also developed liver disorders, levels of triglyceride and vitamins are determined [9] [10].

Mild cases of malnutrition can effectively be treated with dietary modifications, and nutritional supplements, to correct the deficiencies. In such situations, MNPs – micronutrient powders can be used, to replenish the lost stores of the nutrients. MNPs are combinations of various vitamins and minerals in powder form, which needs to be mixed with any type of semisolid food. Such a type of method has been found to correct, as well as prevent nutritional deficiencies in children aged 6 to 23 months [11].

In case of moderate to severe cases, hospitalization may be indicated. It is necessary in cases when a severe form of dehydration has set in, along with clinical signs indicating the onset of other types of associated complications. Children or individuals with severe malnutrition, have to be administered enteral tube feeding to correct nutritional deficiencies [12].

Prognosis of the condition majorly depends on the cause of malnutrition. If primarily nutritional deficiencies are the culprit, then these can easily be corrected. However, if malnutrition has set in due to underlying disease conditions, then the disease needs to be treated to correct nutritional deficiencies [6].

Malnutrition stems from several factors which include:

• Poor diet habits: Diet which is deficient in several micronutrients and macronutrients. In many cases, malnutrition can also develop, if the diet is deficient in single vitamins.
• Underlying medical conditions such as gastroenteritis, worm infections, chronic diarrhea and HIV/AIDS, can also cause malnutrition to set in. Various disease conditions, also lead to disturbances in the processes of digestion and absorption, which have a major role to play in the development of malnutrition [2].
• Poverty and food prices: Financial crisis and poor socioeconomic status of the individuals prevents them from purchasing nutritious food. In many parts of the world, especially developing countries, people often do not get even one complete meal in a day. To add to this, increase in food prices, also prevents the population to reach out for nutritious food stuffs, such as milk, poultry, fruits, vegetables and meat [3].
• Agricultural productivity: Poor agricultural productivity due to various factors, significantly contributes to shortage of food, giving rise to malnutrition [4].

Worldwide, malnutrition is known to be a major risk for illness and death. Statistics indicate that more than 54% deaths of children occurred due to malnutrition in the year 2001. In addition, children less than 5 years of age, fall easy preys to this condition, and this accounts for 300,000 deaths per years [5].

Pregnant women affected by malnutrition, are at an increased risk of giving birth to low birth weight babies. On the other hand, low birth weight infants have a difficult time in struggling for life, and also have to face consequences during their developmental years.

Malnutrition does not spare even a single organ system. Protein is required for growth and maintenance of body tissues. Energy is of utmost importance for various physiologic processes of the body. In addition, various micronutrients are essential for optimal functioning of the enzymatic processes. Therefore, nutrient deficiency in any, or all of these nutrients, has grave consequences. Malnutrition also causes poor immunity, which in turn predisposes the affected individual to develop other types of diseases conditions.

The best way through which malnutrition can be prevented, is by adopting healthy and correct dietary practices: The following measures can be followed:

• Eating a nutritionally balanced diet, a diet that has all macro- and micronutrients. 
• Consumption of at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables on a daily basis.
• Seek immediate medical intervention for any type of underlying disease conditions.
• If dietary modifications aren’t a possibility, then supplementation would be necessary.

Malnutrition is most commonly used for referring to undernutrition. It is one of the leading causes of morbidity, and mortality, across the globe. The condition can cause protein energy malnutrition to set in, and can also give rise to micronutrient deficiencies. Children and women are more affected by this condition. Retarded growth, behavioral changes, and wasting, are some of the major effects of malnutrition [1].

• Definition: Malnutrition occurs due to inadequate dietary practices, wherein either there is too little, or excessive amounts of nutrients. If the condition is not treated on time, it can cause severe life threatening complications.
• Cause: Inadequate access to food, either due to poverty, or high food prices, is the major cause of malnutrition. In addition, certain underlying disease conditions and infections that interfere with the body’s digestion and absorption process, can also lead to malnutrition.
• Symptoms: Some of the major symptoms include weight loss, fatigue, retarded growth, anemia, and developmental delay. In addition, affected individuals also suffer from poor cognitive functioning, along with decreased attention span.
• Diagnosis: Preliminary blood tests to obtain complete blood count and levels of iron and other nutrients are done. Stool cultures and urinalysis are also indicated, to find out the causative factors.
• Treatment: Malnutrition is treated through supplementation of nutrients, and correction of underlying disease conditions. If dehydration has developed in case of severe diarrhea, then correcting electrolyte imbalances would be the primary goal of treatment.

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