Protein deficiency rarely occurs as an isolated condition. It usually accompanies a deficiency of dietary energy and other nutrients resulting from insufficient food intake.
Deficiency of this severity is very rare in the United States, except as a consequence of pathologic conditions.
The symptoms are most commonly seen in deprived children in poor countries:
- stunting,
- poor musculature,
- edema,
- thin and fragile hair,
- skin lesions
- hormonal imbalances.
Edema and loss of muscle mass and hair are the prominent signs in adults.
