| Full name | Protein-Energy Malnutrition (protein-specific) | Protein-Energy Malnutrition (total) |
| Primary deficiency | Protein (calories may be adequate) | Total calories AND protein |
| Oedema | YES — hallmark feature | NO — absent |
| Body appearance | Distended belly (ascites), relatively preserved fat | Extreme emaciation, shrunken limbs, depleted fat |
| Muscle wasting | Mild to moderate | Severe — extreme wasting |
| Mechanism of oedema | Low protein → low albumin → low oncotic pressure → fluid leaks → oedema | No low albumin (protein consumed for energy) → no oedema |
| Skin changes | Skin lesions, depigmentation, "flaky paint" dermatitis | Dry, loose, wrinkled skin |
| Hair changes | Discoloured, brittle, sparse (flag sign) | Thin, sparse |
| Fatty liver | Present (low albumin impairs fat export from liver) | Absent |
| Growth retardation | Present | Present (severe) |
| Immune function | Impaired | Severely impaired |
| Typical age | Weaning age (1–3 years) — post-breastfeeding | Can affect any age in severe starvation |
| Mnemonic | Kwashiorkor = Kwollen belly (oedema + protein) | Marasmus = Muscle Melting (wasting, no oedema) |