Kwashiorkar is diagnosed in growth retarded children

Career MD Paediatrics
#1

Kwashiorkar is diagnosed in growth retarded children along with –

  1. Edema and mental changes
  2. Hypopigmentation and anemia
  3. Edema and hypopigmentation
  4. hepatomegaly and anemia

Protein energy malnutrition (PEM) is a spectrum of conditions ranging from mild under nutrition of extreme forms of
malnutrition, i.e. Marasmus and Kwashiorkor.
Most of the child suffer from mild to moderate nutritional deficit and extreme forms (marasmus and kwashiorkor) account only for a small proportion of cases of malnutrition.
Mild to moderate malnutrition

If the dietary intake is deficient for a short period, the body adapts its metabolism to compensate for the deficit to some extent.
Moderately malnourished children appear more slow and less energetic.
Growth lag is more pronounced in weight than the length.
Head circumference is not reduced significantly.
Marasmus

Marasmus is characterized by gross wasting of muscles and subcutaneous tissues resulting in emaciation, marked stunting and no edema.

Kwashiorkor

Classical triad of kwashiorkor is markedly retarded growth, psychomotor (mental) changes and edema.

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