What is another word for kwashiorkor?

October 28, 2025 •

3 min read

Kwashiorkor, a serious form of malnutrition, is responsible for nearly half of all deaths in children under the age of five globally. This condition, a primary subtype of severe acute malnutrition (SAM), is often characterized by edema and can be known by several different names in medical contexts. Understanding the proper terminology is crucial for medical professionals and caregivers alike to accurately diagnose and manage the condition.

Quick Summary

Kwashiorkor is medically known as edematous malnutrition, a protein deficiency disorder. It is a form of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) and falls under the broader category of protein-energy malnutrition (PEM).

Key Points

Edematous Malnutrition: This is a widely used alternative that focuses on the characteristic swelling caused by fluid retention.
Protein-Energy Malnutrition (PEM): Kwashiorkor is a subtype of this broader condition, representing a severe deficiency of protein and calories.
Protein-Energy Undernutrition (PEU): A newer term that emphasizes the aspect of undernutrition related to insufficient protein and energy intake.
Malignant Malnutrition: This term is sometimes used to emphasize the severe and potentially fatal consequences of the condition.
Protein Deficiency Disease: A direct and simple synonym highlighting the primary nutritional cause of the condition.

Other Names for Kwashiorkor

While "kwashiorkor" is the most common term for this severe form of malnutrition, it has several alternate names used in medical and nutritional science. Knowing these terms can provide a clearer understanding of the condition's specific characteristics and its place within the spectrum of malnutrition.

Edematous Malnutrition

Perhaps the most descriptive and widely recognized alternative is "edematous malnutrition." This term directly refers to the condition's most prominent clinical sign: edema, which is swelling caused by fluid retention in body tissues. This swelling is particularly visible in the ankles, feet, hands, and face and often leads to a distended belly. The edema is a result of a severe lack of protein, specifically albumin, which is necessary for maintaining proper fluid balance.

Protein Malnutrition and Related Terms

Kwashiorkor is fundamentally caused by a severe dietary protein deficiency, leading to several related terms:

Protein-Energy Malnutrition (PEM): Kwashiorkor is a subtype of this broader category encompassing conditions from insufficient protein, energy, or both.
Protein-Energy Undernutrition (PEU): A more modern term for PEM.
Malignant Malnutrition: An older term highlighting the life-threatening nature of the disease.

The Spectrum of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM)

Kwashiorkor is a distinct form of severe acute malnutrition, differing significantly from marasmus.

Kwashiorkor vs. Marasmus: A Comparison


Feature	Kwashiorkor	Marasmus
Primary Deficiency	Predominantly protein deficiency.	Deficiency of both protein and calories.
Appearance	Swollen due to edema.	Severely emaciated.
Key Symptom	Bilateral pitting edema.	Severe wasting without edema.
Weight	May be deceptively near normal due to fluid.	Significantly low weight.
Prevalence	Often seen in older infants (around weaning age, 1–3 years).	Most common in younger infants and children (<1 year).
Associated Factors	Often follows weaning onto a low-protein diet.	Often due to failure to receive sufficient food.

The Less Common Marasmic Kwashiorkor

Marasmic kwashiorkor is a combination of both conditions, presenting with severe wasting and edema.

The Underlying Mechanisms and Causes

The name "kwashiorkor" originates from a Ga language phrase related to the weaning process. While protein deficiency is central, the causes are complex and involve metabolic issues. These include:

Hypoalbuminemia: Low protein (albumin) levels causing edema.
Oxidative Stress and Micronutrient Deficiencies: Lack of antioxidants and nutrients like zinc contributing to cellular damage.
Environmental Toxins: Possible links to aflatoxins, though evidence varies.
Gut Microbiome Changes: Alterations in gut bacteria potentially impacting growth.

Conclusion

"Edematous malnutrition" is a precise medical term for kwashiorkor, emphasizing its defining edema. "Protein-energy malnutrition" places it within a broader category. Understanding these terms is crucial for diagnosing, treating, and preventing this life-threatening condition.

Another Word for Kwashiorkor: Key Takeaways

Edematous Malnutrition: This is a direct and descriptive alternative, referring to the characteristic edema (swelling from fluid retention) associated with kwashiorkor.
Protein-Energy Malnutrition (PEM): Kwashiorkor is one form of this broader category of nutritional deficiencies, which includes conditions stemming from insufficient protein and calories.
Protein-Energy Undernutrition (PEU): A more recent, but less used, term for PEM that emphasizes the insufficient nutrient intake.
Kwashiorkor vs. Marasmus: Kwashiorkor is primarily a protein deficiency with edema, while marasmus is a deficiency of both protein and calories, resulting in severe wasting without swelling.
Marasmic Kwashiorkor: This is a combination of both conditions, featuring both severe wasting and edema.
Medical Management: Recognition of these terms is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment, particularly in resource-limited settings where severe acute malnutrition is more prevalent.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary difference lies in their symptoms: kwashiorkor is characterized by bilateral pitting edema (swelling) due to severe protein deficiency, while marasmus is defined by severe wasting and lack of edema from an overall deficiency of calories and protein.

Kwashiorkor is called 'edematous malnutrition' because its most notable symptom is edema, or the swelling of the body's tissues, especially the ankles, feet, and abdomen, caused by fluid retention.

Yes, kwashiorkor is one of the major types of severe protein-energy malnutrition (PEM), a spectrum of conditions resulting from inadequate dietary protein and/or energy intake.

While kwashiorkor most commonly affects children, it is possible for adults to develop the condition, typically due to severe illness, alcoholism, or in regions of severe food scarcity.

Marasmic kwashiorkor is the name for a condition where an individual exhibits symptoms of both marasmus (severe wasting) and kwashiorkor (edema), representing a combination of extreme calorie and protein deficiencies.

The edema in kwashiorkor is caused by a severe deficiency of protein, particularly albumin, which is essential for maintaining proper fluid balance within the bloodstream. Low albumin levels disrupt the normal flow of fluid, causing it to pool in the tissues.

The name originates from a Ga language phrase in Ghana, Africa, meaning "the sickness the baby gets when the new baby comes." It refers to the weaning of the first child onto a protein-poor diet to allow a new baby to breastfeed, often leading to the disease.