Tag: Kwashiorkor vs marasmus

According to the World Health Organization, severe acute malnutrition affects millions of children globally, manifesting primarily as either marasmus or kwashiorkor. A key diagnostic and differentiating factor is the serum albumin level, which helps explain the visible difference between marasmus and kwashiorkor, specifically the presence of edema.

Kwashiorkor, a severe form of malnutrition caused by a lack of protein, primarily affects children in developing regions but can also manifest in other circumstances. It is characterized by edema or fluid retention, which can mislead observers into thinking the child is well-nourished despite being critically malnourished.

According to the World Health Organization, 13.6 million children under five experienced severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in 2022. The answer to "is kwashiorkor a severe acute malnutrition?" is a definitive yes, as it is one of the two primary forms of SAM, characterized by the distinct feature of bilateral pitting edema.

Globally, kwashiorkor indirectly accounts for a significant percentage of deaths in children under five. Kwashiorkor is a severe form of protein-energy malnutrition caused by inadequate protein intake, and understanding the behavior of kwashiorkor, including its distinct clinical and behavioral features, is vital for early diagnosis and treatment.

According to the World Health Organization, protein-energy malnutrition, which includes kwashiorkor, remains a significant public health crisis in many parts of the world. This severe condition, marked by significant fluid retention and a swollen abdomen, is a common manifestation associated with protein deficiency.

Despite common misunderstandings, kwashiorkor is emphatically not a form of overnutrition. A staggering 45% of child deaths in low- and middle-income countries are associated with undernutrition, which is the true category for kwashiorkor. It is a life-threatening nutritional disorder caused by a severe deficiency of protein, often with adequate or near-adequate calorie intake.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), malnutrition in children is a leading cause of mortality and long-term health problems worldwide. Understanding what a malnutrition child looks like is crucial for early detection and intervention, as the signs can sometimes be subtle or easily mistaken for other conditions.

According to the World Health Organization, protein-energy malnutrition, which includes the severe condition known as **kwashiorkor**, remains a significant global health issue, especially affecting young children in developing regions. This disease highlights the critical importance of a balanced diet that includes sufficient protein and calories.

First described in 1933 by Jamaican physician Cicely Williams, kwashiorkor is a severe form of malnutrition caused by protein deficiency. Understanding how does kwashiorkor look like is crucial, as its swelling can misleadingly hide critical malnourishment.

Kwashiorkor, a severe form of malnutrition, is not a contagious disease and does not spread between people. This dietary illness, therefore, falls under the category of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with poor nutrition being its primary underlying cause.