What Is Kwashiorkor?
2. Kwashiorkor
Kwashiorkor is a severe form of malnutrition. It is also known as edematous malnutrition, so named because of the tendency of patients to develop edema. It is extremely rare in developed countries where the vast majority of people have sufficient food. It is, however, more common in impoverished parts of the world where famines can strike.
Kwashiorkor is a result of the patient not getting the protein that they need. The patient might still get sufficient volumes of food, but the food will still not have the protein content that they need. The condition is typified by the patient having a swollen belly, feet, and ankles, while the rest of their body is emaciated.
Advertisement
