Question

A child has less body weight. He has a thin face, loss of weight, failure to gain muscle mass. Which disease is the child suffering from?

Answer 1

The child is suffering from Kwashiorkor.

Kwashiorkor disease:

1. Kwashiorkor is acute malnutrition that occurs mostly in children.
2. This condition results from severe protein deficiencies. It is a type of deficiency disease.
3. It is also known as “edematous malnutrition” because it is associated with oedema.
4. The patients suffering from Kwashiorkor have an emaciated appearance all over the body.
5. The ankles, feet and belly swell with liquid.

Symptoms of Kwashiorkor:

1. Change in skin and hair colour and texture
2. Loss of weight
3. Swelling (oedema) of the ankles, feet, and belly
4. Irritation
5. Compromised immune system
6. Failure to gain muscle mass
7. Fatigue
8. Diarrhoea