Tag: Kwashiorkor diagnosis

According to the World Health Organization, the presence of bilateral pitting edema is a key diagnostic feature of kwashiorkor, a severe form of protein-energy malnutrition. The diagnostic process is comprehensive, combining clinical evaluation with laboratory investigations to confirm the condition and rule out other diseases.

Globally, severe acute malnutrition affects millions of children under five, with marasmus and kwashiorkor representing its most severe forms. A precise diagnosis is critical for effective treatment, requiring a multi-faceted approach that relies on clinical examination, physical measurements, and lab work.