Malnutrition in children is usually associated with either caloric deficiency or deficiency of specific micronutrient, in other words it is associated with undernutrition, although as a broader term it also includes overnutrition. Undernutrition in children is associated with two diseases, kwashiorkor and marasmus, which are thought to be caused by a lack of different types of nutrients. The mother is the primary source of nutrients for the child. Therefore, her role in mental and physical health of the child is emphasized along with the need for proper supply of nutrients to the child, especially during pregnancy, in order to prevent undernurtition. Mother's mental health can contribute to appearance of undernutrition, because it has been observed that children of depressed mothers have an increased risk of becoming malnourished. The diagnosis of malnutrition involves nutritional intervention, which must be controlled, because improper treatment can be fatal. Also, important nutrients are emphasized, which when consumed sufficiently support normal child development.