Disturbances of nutrition.

Several diseases of nutritional disturbances are profiled: protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) both severe and moderate; xeropthalmia; infantile beriberi; endemic goitre; rickets and miscellaneous other deficiency diseases are considered. Interactions between nutrition and infection or other disease processes are discussed where pertinent. The etiology clinical diagnosis and pathophysiological characteristics of each disease is discussed as are issues related to the choice of a treatment schedule and preventive measures against these nutrition deficiency diseases. The merits and appropriateness of outpatient inpatient and rehabilitative services are also discussed. Epidemiologic surveys where available provide information valuable in identifying high risk groups on which available resources of personnel and materials might be concentrated for most effective and efficient measures of treatment and prevention.