This is a severe wasting disease of infant when the body weight falls below ¾th of that of expected age. The skin shrivels, the infant gives an aged look and looks much older, is apathetic and paled and body temperature remains much below normal.


Causes


Wrong feeding and malnutrition

Protein deficiency

Repeated vomiting and diarrhea

Metabolic disorders

Severe disease of heart, kidneys, lungs, or urinary passage

Some chronic parasitic or bacterial disease

Lack of breast feed, arising due to maternal rejection of an infant or the child may herself refuse to take breast milk

Actual treatment can be started only the underlying cause has been discerned or located, but, in all cases irrespective of the cause, start giving fluids and nourishment, apart from good nursing and care. If the disease continues and lingers on for a longer period, without being detected and treated, it may prove fatal.