athrepsia

[magi]

athrepsia

Profound debility of children due to lack of food and to unhygienic surroundings.

[Slava]

Also known as marasmus:

marasmus

a form of protein-energy malnutrition occurring chiefly among very young children in developing countries, particularly under famine conditions, in which a mother's milk supply is greatly reduced. Marasmus results from the inadequate intake of both protein and calories; persons with a similar type of protein-energy malnutrition, kwashiorkor, do not obtain enough protein but still consume a moderate number of calories. Marasmus is characterized by growth retardation (in weight more than in height) and progressive wasting of subcutaneous fat and muscle. Other symptoms may include diarrhea; dehydration; behavioral changes; dry, loose skin; and dry, brittle hair. Marasmus can be treated with a high-calorie, protein-rich diet. Severe, prolonged marasmus may result in permanent mental retardation and impaired growth.

More at: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/marasmus

Kwashiorkor is a common word on the http://www.FreeRice.com word-game donation site. A nice place to hang out, if you don't mind a lot of incredibly rare foreign words that have been accepted into English. I'm speaking as an American, though, as many of the words I quibble with are Indian English and the like.