Kwashiorkor

Alternative Names

Protein malnutrition, Protein-calorie malnutrition, Malignant malnutrition, Kwashiorkor

What is Kwashiorkor

Kwashiorkor is a type of malnutrition due to lack of protein in the diet. It is most common in areas of drought and famine.

It often affects children than adults. As a rule, it begins after the child has been weaned and breast milk has been replaced with a diet low in protein, although it can occur in infants if the mother has lack of protein.

Kwashiorkor can also occurr due to parasites and infections that can interfere with nutritional status. Low protein diets associated with changes in diet due to allergic reactions to milk in children, fat diets, bad nutritional education or a chaotic home life are other causes of kwashiorkor.

Signs and symptoms

The symptoms of kwashiorkor include the followings:

• Changes in skin pigment
• Decreased muscle mass
• Diarrhea
• Failure to gain weight and grow
• Fatigue
• Hair changes (change in color or texture)
• Increased and more severe infections due to damaged immune system
• Irritability
• Large belly that sticks out (protrudes)
• Lethargy or apathy
• Loss of muscle mass
• Rash (dermatitis)
• Shock (late stage)
• Swelling (edema)

Possible complications

The most common complications of kwashiorkor are:

• Coma
• Permanent mental and physical disability
• Shock

What causes

The most common cause of kwashiorkor is inadequate protein in the diet despite an adequate caloric intake.

Kwashiorkor can also be caused by parasites and infections that can interfere with nutritional status.

Kwashiorkor occurs in arrears where there is:

• Famine
• Limited food supply
• Low levels of education (when people do not understand how to eat a proper diet)

This disease is prevalent in very poor countries. It often occurs during a drought or other natural disaster or during political unrest, because these conditions lead to malnutrition.

Prevention

You сan prevent kwashiorkor by taking enough carbohydrates, fat (at least 10% of total calories) and protein (12% of total calories).

Treatment

First of all, you should get more calories and protein. However, children who have had kwashiorkor will never reach their full potential in height and growth.

Treatment depends on the severity of kwashiorkor. People who are in shock need immediate treatment in order to restore blood volume and maintain blood pressure.

Calories should be given first in the form of carbohydrates, simple sugars and fats. Proteins should be taken after all sources of calories. Vitamin and mineral supplements are vital.

If a person have been without food for a long time, the calories should not be too high at first, because it can lead to serious problems. Food should be given slowly. Carbohydrates are given first to supply energy, then protein foods follow.

These malnourished children will develop intolerance to milk and sugar (lactose intolerance). It is vital to give supplements with the enzyme lactase to them so that they can tolerate milk products.