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Archiver > MEDICAL-GENEALOGY > 2002-11 > 1036459009


From: "Kate Lynn" <>
Subject: Re: [MEDI-GENE] Marasmas
Date: Mon, 4 Nov 2002 19:16:50 -0600
References: <200211050014.gA50E8V15153@student.bard.edu>


Glad to see this list active again!

Is anyone familiar with the term "Marasmas" as cause of death for newborn to
3mo. old infants in late 19th & early 20th centuries? I understand that
Marasmas is defined as a generalized "wasting away" and "malnutrition", and
is still a common diagnosis in cases of starvation in war torn and/or
drought devastated countries. But why would that be applied to babies born
1890-1910 in the heartland of the US to well off farm families?

Later generations of this family have had infants born with Pyloric Stenosis
which presents with nearly identical symptoms, but can now be easily
corrected with surgery. Would it be plausible to theorize that the babies
who died in the 1890's and the first decade of the 1900's were victims of
Pyloric Stenosis. Can sks direct me to a reference that would tell when the
diagnosis of Pyloric Stenosis was first used?

It appears that Pyloric Stenosis is genetic and it would be a major
breakthrough if I could show that the babies whose death certificates list
Marasmas as cause could be at least "probable" victims of Pyloric Stenosis
(obviously proof is impossible.) There is only one female who links these
generations but she was "adopted." I strongly believe this adoption was
"within the family", and I'd be very interested in other opinions.

Thanks,
Kate Lynn




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