What Is Kwashiorkor
Disease
Kwashiorkor is a disease that mostly affects children and is
caused by an inadequate amount of protein in the diet. It is also
referred to as protein malnutrition or malignant nutrition. It
usually develops in areas afflicted by famine or drought or in
places where food is scarce. Areas characterized by a lack or
reduced levels of education are also prone to this illness, due to
a non-understanding of its causes. Poor countries have a very high
incidence of kwashiorkor. Infants get the necessary supply of
protein rich nutrients from the mother’s milk, but once the
nursing period ends, the food that they begin to eat contains only
carbohydrates and starch. Protein is, as such, completely lacking
and this results in kwashiorkor.
Kwashiorkor
Symptoms And Causes symptoms of kwashiorkor appear very
early on in the child, the most characteristic sign being an
enlarged and swollen stomach. The hair develops a reddish tinge
and becomes very brittle. Skin color may also get affected. The
weight loss is excessive and growth becomes stunted. Due to an
extremely reduced level of functioning of the immune system, the
child may develop many other diseases and infections. The child
also becomes fatigued and irritable. Dermatitis and rashes are
common on the skin. In later stages, the child could even go into
a coma.
Kwashiorkor Treatment
It is important that kwashiorkor is detected and treated early, as
delayed treatment will put the child at risk to other infections,
and may also leave permanent damage to the child’s physical and
mental functioning. Research has indicated that malnutrition in
the early years of a child can lower IQ levels permanently. In
addition, physical growth is also disrupted. The seriousness of
the condition will determine the type of treatment that needs to
be administered. If the condition is severe, the child’s blood
sugar level needs to be immediately restored. This involves giving
the child carbohydrates and fats, which will increase the
calories.
Once the energy has been increased, proteins can be given to the
child. Other nutrients such as minerals and vitamins are also
administered in the form of supplements. The child must be made to
consume these foods slowly, as the system is not used to
processing proper amounts of food. Even if kwashiorkor is treated
in its last stages, it is possible for the child’s health to
improve. However, long lasting physical and mental problems may
develop. If the condition is not treated at all, it could prove
fatal for the child. In very poor countries, the affected children
may not be able to get the necessary food that will help them
recover from this condition. Medical help is also something that
is completely out of their reach. As such, the developed countries
must make available basic food to these children so that they grow
and function properly
Growing Stronger, Growing
Better
kwashiorkor
Global Health
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