Can malnutrition cause edema because of the lowered colloid osmotic pressure?
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3 min read
Severe protein-energy malnutrition, particularly the condition known as kwashiorkor, is classically associated with pronounced fluid retention or edema. The central question is, can malnutrition cause edema because of the lowered colloid osmotic pressure? While this is a significant contributing factor, modern understanding reveals a more complex physiological interplay at work.