Kwashiorkor
Alternative names:
malignant malnutrition.; protein malnutrition, protein-calorie malnutrition
Symptoms:
- unavailability of adequate food and quality protein
- failure to gain weight and failure of linear growth
- irritability
- lethargy or apathy
- decreased muscle mass
- edema
- large protuberant belly
- diarrhea
- dermatitis
- changes in skin pigment; may lose pigment where the skin has peeled away (desquamated) and the skin may darken where it has been irritated or traumatized
- hair changes; hair color may change often lightening or becoming reddish. The hair thins and becomes brittle.
- increased numbers of infections and increased severity of normally mild infection as a result of damaged immune system
- shock (late stage)
- coma (late stage)
Signs and tests:
The physical examination may show an enlarged liver (hepatomegaly) and generalized edema.
Decreased renal function as shown by changes in: Total protein levels (from a chemistry profile) show insufficient amounts of albumin proteins (hypoalbuminemia).
CBC demonstrates presence of anemia
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