Kwashiorkor

Kwashiorkor causes body swelling due to a monotonous diet of only grain-based foods. This condition usually affects children under 4 years of age who are starving. During kwashiorkor, the hands and feet swell significantly, appetite decreases, skin becomes dry, and the child becomes apathetic. A maize-based diet, recent cessation of breastfeeding, infections, and diarrhea lead to the development of this disease. Kwashiorkor often appears in the Sahel region of Africa. In developed countries, it rarely occurs unless HIV is present. Treatment for uncomplicated cases involves using special therapeutic food at home, while hospital treatment addresses complicated cases. Potential complications include hypoglycemia, hypothermia, dry eyes, electrolyte imbalances, and heart failure.

Source | Author Doctor Nikas Samuolis, reviewed by Prof. Virginijus Šapoka | Vilnius University | Faculty of Medicine | Head of the Department of Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, and Oncology