Explanation of the Facts

Fact: Anorexia
Pertinent because his lack of eating caused drastic weight loss, which causes overall 
malnutrition.

Fact: Cachexia
Pertinent because of the prolonged gradual wasting of body reserves.

Fact:  High glucose/low insulin
Pertinent because we assumed that because glucose is high, then insulin must be low. 
Low insulin is a characteristic of Marasmus.

Fact: 12.5% weight loss
Pertinent because any weight loss of greater than 10% within six months is considered to 
be significant.  This shows that the patient is at risk for marasmus.

Fact:  Depleted transferrin
Pertinent because decreased transferrin is characteristic of kwashiorkor

Fact:  Depleted Albumin
Pertinent because decreased albumin is characteristic of kwashiorkor

Fact:  Decreased fat reserves
Pertinent because this shows that the patient may not be suffering from just kwashiorkor.  
When kwashiorkor is present, there are adequate fat stores.

Fact: Not maintaining adequate anthropometrics
Pertinent because this also shows that the patient is not just suffering from kwashiorkor.

Fact: Decrease lymphocytes
Pertinent because this shows that there is a decrease in immune function, which is 
characteristic of kwashiorkor.  

Fact: Hypoalbuminemia
Pertinent because low albumin is characteristic of a combination of both conditions.

Fact:  Low Fat/muscle depletion
Pertinent because low fat/muscle depletion is also characteristic of a combination of both 
conditions

Fact: Decreased Organ function
Pertinent because this is also indicative to both conditions.  Obviously the Small 
Intestine, an entire gut is causing malabsorption and excessive dumping.

Fact:  Decrease Protein in addition to fat depletion
Pertinent because this shows that it is not simply marasmus or kwashiorkor, but rather, 
more complex.