Kwashiorkor
Introduction
Kwashiorkoris a severe form of Malnutrition . It's most common in some developing regions of the world where babies and children have a diet that lacks protein and other essential nutrients.
The main sign of kwashiorkor is too much fluid in the body's tissues, which causes swelling under the skin (oedema) . It usually begins in the legs, but can involve the whole body, including the face.
This topic covers:
Symptoms of kwashiorkor
What causes kwashiorkor
Diagnosing kwashiorkor
Treating kwashiorkor
Recovering from kwashiorkor
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 7 Sep 2016
Introduction
Find out about kwashiorkor, a severe form of malnutrition that most commonly affects children in developing regions of the world where there's a limited food supply.
Symptoms of kwashiorkor
As well as oedema, symptomsof kwashiorkor can include: loss of muscle mass an enlarged tummy ("pot belly") regular infections, or more serious or long-lasting infections than usual red, inflamed
What causes kwashiorkor?
The main cause of kwashiorkor is a lack of protein and otheressential nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals . It's most common in developing countries with a limited food supply, poor hygiene, and
Diagnosing kwashiorkor
Kwashiorkor can often be diagnosed based on a child's physical appearance and questions about their diet and care. However, blood and urine tests may be carried out to rule out other conditions. This
Treating kwashiorkor
Ifkwashiorkor is identified early it can be treated with either specially formulated milk-based feeds or ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF). RUTF istypically made up of peanut butter, milk powder,
Recovering from kwashiorkor
How wella person recovers from kwashiorkor depends on how severetheir symptoms werewhentreatment began. If treatment was started early, the person will usually recover well, although childrenmay neve
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