What does iatrogenic malnutrition refer to?

Iatrogenic malnutrition specifically pertains to nutritional deficiencies that arise as a consequence of medical interventions or treatments. This type of malnutrition can be a result of various factors including the effects of medications, surgical procedures, or hospital regulations that may inadvertently lead to a lack of essential nutrients.

Covers a broad spectrum of nutritional deficits, as it can include not just specific macronutrient deficiencies but also the cumulative effect of inadequate caloric intake. When patients are hospitalized, their dietary needs may not be adequately met due to factors such as altered intake, increased metabolic demands, or difficulties related to eating due to medical conditions. As a result, patients may experience a decline in nutritional status which can manifest as protein-energy malnutrition characterized by pronounced muscle and fat wasting.

The other options focus on specific issues rather than the overarching concept of malnutrition as it pertains to medical treatment. Vitamin and mineral malabsorption, for example, is more specific and does not encapsulate the broader context in which iatrogenic malnutrition arises. Similarly, protein malabsorption and conditions such as Kwashiorkor represent particular states of malnutrition or metabolic derangements, rather than capturing the comprehensive implications of malnutrition induced by medical care.