deficiency disease - any disease caused by a lack of an essential nutrient (as a vitamin or mineral)

avitaminosis, hypovitaminosis - any of several diseases caused by deficiency of one or more vitamins

kwashiorkor - severe malnutrition in children resulting from a diet excessively high in carbohydrates and low in protein

marasmus - extreme malnutrition and emaciation (especially in children); can result from inadequate intake of food or from malabsorption or metabolic disorders