Understanding the Nutritional Deficiency: Which deficiency disease causes retention of fluids in the body?

October 9, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), malnutrition remains a global health crisis, with Kwashiorkor being a specific form of severe protein deficiency where the key symptom is fluid retention. Understanding which deficiency disease causes retention of fluids in the body? is crucial for identifying and treating this serious condition effectively.

Quick Summary

Kwashiorkor is a severe malnutrition disorder stemming from protein deficiency, leading to fluid retention known as edema. Low albumin levels in the blood, caused by insufficient protein, disrupts oncotic pressure, resulting in fluid leaking into tissues. This condition is most common in children in developing regions and requires careful nutritional rehabilitation.

Key Points

Kwashiorkor is the cause: Kwashiorkor, a severe protein deficiency disease, is the primary nutritional cause of fluid retention in the body.
Low albumin is the mechanism: The edema is caused by critically low levels of the blood protein albumin, which is essential for maintaining fluid balance in the blood vessels.
Edema is a hallmark symptom: The characteristic swelling in the ankles, feet, and abdomen serves as a key diagnostic indicator of Kwashiorkor.
Kwashiorkor vs. Marasmus: Unlike Marasmus, which causes severe wasting, Kwashiorkor is specifically defined by the presence of edema, often masking underlying muscle loss.
Treatment requires caution: The treatment involves a careful, multi-phased approach to reintroduce nutrients gradually and prevent life-threatening complications like refeeding syndrome.
Early intervention is key: Timely diagnosis and treatment are crucial to reverse symptoms and minimize long-term health consequences, such as stunted growth.

Kwashiorkor: The Primary Cause of Nutritional Edema

Kwashiorkor, a serious form of protein-energy malnutrition (PEM), is the definitive answer to the question, "which deficiency disease causes retention of fluids in the body?". The name originates from a term in coastal Ghana meaning "the sickness the baby gets when the new baby comes," because it often affects older children who have been weaned from protein-rich breast milk to a starchy, low-protein diet. This disease, while uncommon in developed nations, remains a significant public health issue in areas facing food insecurity.

The Physiological Mechanism of Fluid Retention

The most striking symptom of Kwashiorkor is the noticeable swelling, or edema, in the ankles, feet, hands, face, and abdomen. This occurs because of a fundamental breakdown in the body's fluid balance system, which is largely controlled by a protein called albumin.

Proteins, particularly albumin, maintain the oncotic pressure within blood vessels. Oncotic pressure is the force that pulls water back into the bloodstream from surrounding tissues. When the diet is severely deficient in protein, the liver cannot produce enough albumin, and its concentration in the blood drops significantly.

With low albumin, the oncotic pressure within the capillaries falls below the hydrostatic pressure pushing fluid out. This imbalance causes excess fluid to leak from the blood vessels and accumulate in the interstitial spaces—the tiny spaces between cells. This accumulation is what causes the characteristic puffiness and bloating seen in Kwashiorkor.

Other Contributing Factors to Edema

While low albumin is the central mechanism, other factors can worsen edema in Kwashiorkor:

Hormonal Imbalance: Severe malnutrition can disrupt hormonal regulation. Some studies suggest low blood volume (hypovolemia) triggers increased release of antidiuretic hormone and plasma renin, prompting the kidneys to retain more sodium and water.
Electrolyte Disturbances: The disease often involves significant electrolyte imbalances, particularly potassium deficiency, which further impairs fluid regulation.
Infections and Inflammation: Children with Kwashiorkor have weakened immune systems, making them highly susceptible to infections. These infections can trigger inflammatory responses that increase capillary permeability, causing more fluid leakage.

Kwashiorkor Versus Marasmus: A Key Distinction

Kwashiorkor is often discussed alongside Marasmus, another form of severe malnutrition. While both are life-threatening, they present with distinct clinical signs, most notably the presence or absence of edema. The table below outlines the key differences between these two conditions.


Feature	Kwashiorkor	Marasmus
Primary Deficiency	Predominantly protein	All macronutrients (protein and energy)
Fluid Retention (Edema)	Present (bilateral pitting edema is a hallmark)	Absent (severe wasting, "skin and bones" appearance)
Appearance	Swollen, bloated belly (ascites) and puffy extremities	Emaciated, skeletal, and extremely thin
Muscle Wasting	Occurs, but often masked by edema	Severe and visibly obvious
Fat Stores	Some subcutaneous fat may be retained	Little to no subcutaneous fat
Mental State	Apathetic, irritable, lethargic	Often alert but miserable
Hair/Skin	Changes in hair color and texture, flaky skin lesions	Relatively fewer skin/hair changes

Diagnosing and Treating Kwashiorkor

Early diagnosis is critical for a positive outcome, especially in children. The process typically involves a physical examination to check for pitting edema and other characteristic signs, followed by blood tests to confirm low albumin levels and other nutrient deficiencies.

Treatment must be initiated with extreme caution to prevent refeeding syndrome, a potentially fatal complication caused by rapid shifts in fluids and electrolytes.

The multi-phased treatment approach often includes:

Initial Stabilization: Addressing immediate life-threatening issues like infections, dehydration, and hypothermia. This involves small, frequent feedings of specialized, nutrient-dense formulas.
Nutritional Rehabilitation: Gradually increasing caloric and protein intake once the patient is stable. Ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTFs) are highly effective in low-resource settings.
Long-Term Follow-up: Educating families on sustainable and nutritious dietary practices to prevent recurrence. This phase also focuses on addressing any long-term physical or mental developmental issues.

The Broader Context of Nutritional Edema

While Kwashiorkor is the prime example, it's important to recognize that other nutritional factors can contribute to edema. Severe deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals, such as Vitamin B1 (thiamine) and magnesium, can also impact fluid balance. A severe thiamine deficiency can lead to a condition called "wet beriberi," which includes edema and heart failure. Poor absorption due to gastrointestinal diseases can also cause low protein states and subsequent fluid retention. These conditions highlight the complexity of nutritional health and the various pathways that can lead to fluid retention when the diet is inadequate.

For more comprehensive information on malnutrition and related health issues, the World Health Organization (WHO) provides authoritative resources: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/malnutrition.

Conclusion

In summary, Kwashiorkor is the nutritional deficiency disease most commonly associated with fluid retention, or edema, in the body. This condition arises from a severe lack of protein, which critically lowers blood albumin levels and disrupts the body's natural fluid balance. Recognizable by its characteristic swelling, Kwashiorkor requires immediate and careful medical intervention, starting with stabilization and moving to nutritional rehabilitation. While other deficiencies can contribute to edema, the protein-deprivation mechanism in Kwashiorkor serves as a powerful example of how crucial balanced nutrition is for maintaining basic physiological functions and overall health.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary cause of Kwashiorkor is a severe and chronic lack of protein in the diet, often occurring in regions with limited food supply or diets primarily based on starchy carbohydrates.

Protein deficiency causes low levels of albumin in the blood. Albumin maintains oncotic pressure, which pulls fluid into the blood vessels. When albumin is low, fluid leaks into the body's tissues, resulting in edema.

Common symptoms include edema (swelling of the ankles, feet, and abdomen), an enlarged liver, skin lesions, hair discoloration, muscle wasting (often hidden by swelling), irritability, and fatigue.

While Kwashiorkor is the most well-known, other deficiencies can contribute. For example, severe Vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency can cause 'wet beriberi,' a condition characterized by edema and heart failure.

Kwashiorkor is primarily a protein deficiency characterized by edema. Marasmus is a deficiency of both protein and calories, resulting in severe wasting and emaciation without edema.

Treatment involves a phased approach: initial stabilization to address infections and dehydration, followed by gradual nutritional rehabilitation using specialized formulas or foods. It is done under medical supervision to avoid refeeding syndrome.

Yes, Kwashiorkor can be prevented by ensuring a balanced diet with sufficient protein intake, especially for infants and young children. Improved access to varied food sources and nutritional education are key preventative measures.