Question

During a humanitarian trip to an underdeveloped country, a medical student is assessing a 6-year-old male who has a protuberant abdomen, dry hair, and wrinkled skin. The child’s heart rate is 59 beats per minute, blood pressure 89/50 and temperature 95.2°F (35.1°C). What is the most likely etiology of the child’s health problems?

Answer 1

Answer:

Malnutrition or malnourishment.

Explanation:

Malnutrition causes lack of skin and hair integrity due to little keratin growth, impaired cardiac function, and swollen abdomens. This is also one of the leading causes of death in underdeveloped countries among youth.