Kwashiorkor

What is kwashiorkor?

The term kwashiorkor has its origins in The Ga language, and it loosely translates as the illness of the child when the new baby arrives. Also known as “edematous malnutrition”, kwashiorkor is a nutritional disorder most often seen in regions experiencing famine. It is a form of malnutrition caused by a lack of protein in the diet. People who have kwashiorkor typically have an extremely emaciated appearance in all body parts except their ankles, feet, and belly, which swell with fluid. Children who develop kwashiorkor may not grow or develop properly and may remain stunted for the rest of their lives.

There can be serious complications when treatment is delayed, including coma, shock, and permanent mental and physical disabilities. Kwashiorkor can be life-threatening if it’s left untreated. It can cause major organ failure and eventually death.

What causes kwashiorkor?

Kwashiorkor is caused by a lack of protein in the diet. Protein is needed in your diet for your body to repair cells and make new cells. A healthy human body regenerates cells in this way constantly. Protein is also especially important for growth during childhood and pregnancy. If the body lacks protein, growth and normal body functions will begin to shut down, and kwashiorkor may develop. Kwashiorkor is most common in countries where there is a limited supply or lack of food. It is mostly found in children and infants in sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and Central America.

A limited supply or lack of food is common in these countries during times of famine caused by natural disasters — such as droughts or floods — or political unrest. A lack of nutritional knowledge and regional dependence on low-protein diets, such the maize-based diets of many West African countries, can also cause people to develop this condition. It can also be a sign of an underlying condition, such as HIV.

What are the symptoms of kwashiorkor?

The symptoms of kwashiorkor include: change in skin and hair color (to a rust color) and texture, Fatigue, diarrhea, loss of muscle mass, failure to grow or gain weight, swelling of the ankles, feet, and belly, damaged immune system, which can lead to more frequent and severe infections, irritability, flaky rash and shock.

How is kwashiorkor diagnosed?

A history and physical examination will suffice for making a diagnosis, other tests like full blood count and kidney function tests.

How is kwashiorkor treated?

Kwashiorkor can be corrected by eating more protein and more calories overall, especially if treatment is started early. You may first be given more calories in the form of carbohydrates, sugars, and fats. Once these calories provide energy, you will be given foods with proteins. Foods must be introduced and calories should be increased slowly because you have been without proper nutrition for a long period. Your body may need to adjust to the increased intake. Your doctor will also recommend long-term vitamin and mineral supplementation to your diet.

What are the complications of kwashiorkor?

Even with treatment, children who have had kwashiorkor may never reach their full growth and height potential. If treatment comes too late, a child may have permanent physical and mental disabilities. It is important to eat balanced diet and varies meals for optimum physical and mental health. Where this cannot be the case in poor income homes, fortified caloric diets like PlumpyNuts and KokoPlus are available at Health facilities for children living in Ghana.