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What causes hypotrophy?
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025
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Hypotrophy has different causes. It can be a consequence of various exogenous and endogenous etiological factors causing either insufficient food intake or insufficient absorption. Among the exogenous factors, alimentary factors are still of great importance both at an early and older age. In children of the first year of life, this may be due to the high prevalence of hypogalactia in mothers and food allergies in children, leading to quantitative underfeeding. No less important in the occurrence of hypotrophy are qualitative nutritional disorders: vitamin deficiency, deficiency or excess of any food substance (protein, fat or carbohydrates). With an increased protein load, protein utilization decreases, nitrogenous products (amino acids, ammonia) accumulate in the body, acidosis occurs, which leads to the appearance of dystrophic changes in brain tissue and parenchymatous organs. Excess protein against the background of a lack of carbohydrates is especially unfavorable. An unbalanced diet with an excess of easily digestible carbohydrates and a protein deficiency also has a negative impact on the child's development. Kwashiorkor is a special form of malnutrition that develops under conditions of severe protein starvation with moderate intake of carbohydrates and fats and the layering of an infectious process.
Severe hypotrophy due to endogenous factors requiring timely and adequate correction of nutritional status. Acute and chronic infectious diseases often lead to the development of hypotrophy.
Causes of hypotrophy
Reasons for development |
Clinical conditions |
Eating disorders |
Loss of consciousness Swallowing disorder Uncontrollable vomiting Obstruction of the alimentary canal Anorexia nervosa |
Digestive disorders (maldigestion) |
Enzyme deficiency Pancreatitis Gastrectomy Small bowel resection Biliary insufficiency |
Malabsorption disorders |
Defects of the enzyme and transport systems of the intestine Enteritis Crohn's disease Short bowel syndrome Intestinal fistula |
Metabolic disorders |
Inborn errors of metabolism Endocrine disorders Nutrient and drug interactions Catabolic conditions (such as burns, sepsis and severe infectious diseases, trauma, surgery) |