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marasmus

n. a condition (from Greek marasmos, “consumption”), usually occurring in infancy, that is characterized by apathy, withdrawal, and emaciation resulting from severe malnutrition. If left untreated, it can result in delayed physical and cognitive development and, in some cases, death. Marasmus tends to occur mostly in developing countries, often as a result of famine, premature or abrupt weaning, or vitamin insufficiency due to limitations in food variety. It can, however, occur in developed nations as well—for example, in children living in poor rural and urban areas, children with chronic disease, and children who are institutionalized. See also kwashiorkor.

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Psychology term of the day

March 11th 2025

delirium

delirium

n. a disturbed mental state in which attention cannot be sustained, the environment is misperceived, and the stream of thought is disordered. The individual may experience changes in cognition (which can include disorientation, memory impairment, or disturbance in language), perceptual disturbances, hallucinations, illusions, and misinterpretation of sounds or sights. The episode develops quickly and can fluctuate over a short period. Delirium may be caused by a variety of conditions, such as infections, cerebral tumors, substance intoxication and withdrawal, head trauma, and seizures.