The Human Ruminant

A five-month-old female infant was admitted to the Tropical Metabolism Research Unit with a weight for age of 49 percent and no evidence of oedema giving rise to a diagnosis of marasmus (Wellcome Classification). The underlying reason for her malnutrition was the Infant Rumination syndrome. This is an uncommon disorder which is thought to have a psychological component. A lack of awareness of the syndrome often leads to delay in diagnosis.