Includes a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations

Infants and young children

Associated with poverty, cultural and social issues, maternal malnutrition, infectious disease, and poor weaning practices from breast to bottle

One study showed that over half of all deaths of children between 6 months and 5 years of age were due to PEM’s potentiating effects on infectious disease

Basch et al. Am J Public Health.  1994; 84: 814-8.

Severity varies