Malnutrition in a developing child can result from which condition?

Malnutrition in a developing child is primarily a result of insufficient intake of necessary nutrients, and starvation directly leads to this lack of essential food and nutrients. In the context of development, adequate nutrition is crucial for physical growth, cognitive development, and overall health. When a child faces starvation, it means they are not receiving the caloric and nutrient requirements necessary for their age and growth stage, which can lead to severe consequences such as stunted growth, weakened immune function, and other long-term developmental issues.

While conditions like fragile X syndrome or cri du chat syndrome can impact a child's development and health due to genetic factors, they are not directly related to the concept of malnutrition caused by a lack of food intake. An overactive thyroid may influence metabolism but does not inherently lead to malnutrition in the same way that starvation does. Hence, starvation is the clear answer when considering the direct impact on a child's nutrition and development.