Kwashiorkor
Severe protein malnutrition with edema, characterized by hypoalbuminemia, fatty liver, skin lesions ("flaky paint dermatosis"), hair changes, and irritability, classically in young children after weaning from breast milk to starch-dominant diet.
The pathophysiology of kwashiorkor remains incompletely explained by protein deficiency alone; aflatoxin, oxidative stress, gut microbiome dysbiosis, and one-carbon donor deficiency have been proposed contributors. Treatment requires cautious protein refeeding to avoid refeeding syndrome and decompensation. Mortality remains high despite adequate macronutrient delivery, suggesting unresolved underlying mechanisms.
How one textbook covers it
Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease, 12th ed. — Ch 70: Protein-Energy Malnutrition
The pathophysiology of kwashiorkor remains incompletely explained by protein deficiency alone; aflatoxin, oxidative stress, gut microbiome dysbiosis, and one-carbon donor deficiency have been proposed contributors. Treatment requires cautious protein refeeding to avoid refeeding syndrome and decompensation. Mortality remains high despite adequate macronutrient delivery, suggesting unresolved underlying mechanisms.
Related terms
Marasmus, PEM, Refeeding syndrome