Kwashiorkor

An acute form of protein-calorie malnutrition.

A protein deficiency disease of children characterized by edema, changes in the health of the hair and skin, growth failure, and apathy, marasmus.

Malnutrition of small children, mostly in tropical countries, causing anaemia, wasting of the body and swollen liver.

A condition in children resulting from deficiency of food and perhaps particularly of proteins. It manifests itself in the form of reddish or scanty hair, broken skin, swelling (oedema), a ‘moon’ face and apathy.

An African word that refers to the development of protein-deficiency disorder in the young post- weaned child. The child is usually between 1 and 3 years old; cultural food practices or taboos may limit the kinds and amounts of protein given to the child. Concurrent infections, parasites, seasonal food shortages, and poor distribution of food amongst the family members may also contribute to the development of protein deficiency. Growth failure is the single most outstanding feature of protein malnutrition. The child’s height and weight for his or her age will be less than that of his or her well-nourished peer. Tissue wastage is present but may not be apparent if edema is present. The edema begins with the feet and legs and gradually presents itself in the hands, face, and body. If edema is advanced, the child may not appear underweight but many appear “plump.” The edema is thought to result from insufficient ADH production and a deficient supply of serum and tissue proteins needed to maintain water balance. The protein-deficient child is usually apathetic, has little interest in his or her surroundings, and is listless and dull. This child is usually “fussy” and irritable when moved. Mental retardation may or may not result. Hair changes are frequently observed. Texture, color, and strength are affected. Black, curly hair may become thin, lusterless, and brown or reddish brown in color. Lesions of the skin are not always present, but if present, they give the appearance of old, flaky paint. Depigmentation or darkly pigmented areas may develop with a tendency for these areas to appear in places of body friction such as the backs of legs, groins, and elbows. Diarrhea is almost always present. The diarrhea may be a result of the inability of the body to synthesize the needed digestive enzymes so that the food that is consumed can be utilized, and/or it may be the result of concurrent infections and parasites. Anemia due to an inability to synthesize hemoglobin as well as red blood cells is invariably present. Hepatomegaly (enlarged liver) is usually observed.

Disease, primarily of children, caused by a severe protein deficiency; It is characterized by retarded growth, changes in skin and hair coloring, loss of appetite, diarrhea, anemia, degenerative changes in the liver, edema, and signs of multiple vitamin deficiencies.

Malnutrition in children caused by inadequate intake of calories and protein.

A syndrome caused by severe protein deficiency, found primarily in infants and children in underdeveloped countries. Symptoms include weakness, edema, enteritis, distended abdomen, liver changes, impaired growth and development, and pigmentation changes of the skin and hair.

A form of malnutrition due to a diet deficient in protein and energy-producing foods, common in Third World countries. Kwashiorkor develops when, after prolonged breast feeding, the child is weaned onto an inadequate traditional family diet of starchy foods. The diet is such that it is physically impossible for the child to consume enough nutrients to provide sufficient protein and energy. Kwashiorkor is most common in children between the ages of one and three years. The symptoms are edema, loss of appetite, diarrhea, general discomfort, and apathy; the child fails to thrive and there is usually associated gastric infection.

One of the most important causes of ill health and death among children in the tropics. It is predominantly a deficiency disease due to a diet short of protein; there is also some evidence of a lack of essential fatty acids. It affects typically the small child weaned from the breast and not “yet able to cope with an adult diet, or for whom an adequate amount of first-class protein is not available, and is mainly found in less well developed countries.

A severe protein deficiency type of malnutrition of children. It occurs after the child is weaned. The clinical signs are, at first, a vague type of lethargy, apathy, or irritability and, later, failure to grow, mental deficiency, inanition, increased susceptibility to infections, edema, dermatitis, and liver enlargement. The hair may have a reddish color.