Why does kwashiorkor have a big abdomen? Unpacking the causes of edematous malnutrition
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2 min read
According to the World Health Organization, severe malnutrition accounts for nearly half of all deaths in children under five. A striking symptom of this condition, specifically kwashiorkor, is a swollen, distended abdomen, which can be misleading as it masks severe underlying emaciation. This fluid retention, or edema, is a hallmark of the disease and is primarily caused by a critical lack of protein in the diet.