Which of the following diseases is caused due to the deficiency of proteins?

Question

Prepp Team · Accepted Answer

Understanding Deficiency Diseases: Protein Deficiency

Deficiency diseases occur when a person does not get enough of a particular nutrient in their diet. These nutrients can include vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, or fats. The question asks which disease among the given options is caused specifically by a deficiency of proteins.

Analysing the Options

Let's look at each option to understand what causes the disease:

Arthritis: Arthritis is not typically classified as a deficiency disease. It is an inflammatory condition affecting the joints. While nutrition plays a role in managing inflammation, arthritis itself is not directly caused by the deficiency of a single nutrient like protein.
Kwashiorkor: Kwashiorkor is a severe form of malnutrition caused by a deficiency in dietary protein, even though calorie intake might be sufficient (often from carbohydrates). It commonly affects children in regions where staple foods are low in protein. Symptoms include swelling (edema), enlarged liver, skin rash, and stunted growth.
Goitre: Goitre is an enlargement of the thyroid gland. The most common cause worldwide is iodine deficiency. Iodine is a mineral essential for the production of thyroid hormones.
Night Blindness: Night blindness, or nyctalopia, is the inability to see well in low light or at night. A common cause of night blindness is a deficiency of Vitamin A. Vitamin A is crucial for the formation of rhodopsin, a pigment in the retina that allows us to see in dim light.

Identifying the Protein Deficiency Disease

Based on the analysis of each option, it is clear that Kwashiorkor is the disease directly caused by a deficiency of proteins in the diet.

Disease	Primary Cause
Arthritis	Inflammation of joints (various causes, not primary nutrient deficiency)
Kwashiorkor	Protein Deficiency
Goitre	Iodine Deficiency
Night Blindness	Vitamin A Deficiency

Conclusion

The disease caused by the deficiency of proteins is Kwashiorkor.

Revision Table: Nutrient Deficiency Diseases

Nutrient Deficiency	Associated Disease	Key Symptoms (Examples)
Protein	Kwashiorkor	Edema, stunted growth, muscle wasting, skin changes
Protein and Calories	Marasmus	Severe wasting of fat and muscle, stunted growth
Vitamin A	Night Blindness, Xerophthalmia	Poor vision in dim light, dryness of eyes
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)	Beriberi	Weakness, nerve damage, heart problems
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)	Scurvy	Bleeding gums, fatigue, poor wound healing
Vitamin D	Rickets (children), Osteomalacia (adults)	Softening and weakening of bones
Calcium	Osteoporosis, Rickets	Weak bones, increased fracture risk
Iron	Iron-deficiency Anemia	Fatigue, weakness, pale skin
Iodine	Goitre, Cretinism	Enlarged thyroid gland, developmental issues

Additional Information on Kwashiorkor and Protein Deficiency

Kwashiorkor is a severe form of malnutrition most often seen in children aged 1-3 years, especially after weaning, when their diet may switch from protein-rich breast milk to staple foods like cereals or roots which are low in protein. Proteins are crucial building blocks for the body's tissues, enzymes, hormones, and antibodies. A lack of protein impairs growth, muscle development, immune function, and can lead to fluid imbalance, causing edema.

While Kwashiorkor is primarily due to protein deficiency, it often occurs alongside deficiencies of other nutrients, leading to a complex state of malnutrition. Another severe form of protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) is Marasmus, which results from a deficiency in both calories and protein, leading to severe wasting.