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What is Kwashiorkor?
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Kwashiorkor is a disease that appears to be caused through severe malnutrition, and it primarily impacts children. It is most common in developing nations, where famine conditions are more likely. Many people in developed countries are familiar with the disease — although they probably don't know the specific name — because sufferers are often featured in reports and news stories about malnutrition in developing countries.
The disease was first identified and described in the 1930s in Ghana. The word kwashiorkor comes from the Ga language, which is widely spoken in many parts of that country. It literally means “one who is physically displaced,” a reference to the fact that the disease emerges in children who have just been weaned off of breast milk. When the disease is not immediately addressed, it can cause severe disabilities, and if left untreated, it can lead to death.
Protein deficiency is an important aspect of this condition, although it does not appear to be the only cause. While children are breastfeeding, they get a number of vital nutrients and amino acids through their mothers' milk. As long as a mother is eating reasonably well, her child should stay healthy. Once a child is weaned, however, a new source of these vital nutrients needs to be obtained. Unfortunately, many people in developing nations eat starch heavy diets, without the protein sources and fresh fruits and vegetables that they need.
One of the most characteristic symptoms of kwashiorkor is a distended belly. Victims of the disease also suffer from lethargy, slow growth, anemia, edema, hair loss, and changes in hair and skin color. Many of these symptoms are common to a wide range of malnutrition conditions, and they are often very familiar to aid workers in developing countries. The malnutrition disease can also develop in first world countries, however, especially among poor and underprivileged groups, along with the elderly.
Like other health problems caused through malnutrition, kwashiorkor can be avoided and treated through proper diet. In addition to eating a healthy, balanced diet, it is also important for people to eat food that has been stored properly. Some research has suggested that this disease may be related to moldy or rotting food, in addition to being caused by malnutrition. Many aid organizations offer nutritional education and grants of food or farming assistance to help prevent the condition.
Mary McMahon
Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.
Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.
Learn more...AS FEATURED ON:
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![Those who consume limited diets heavy in starches, such as wheat and barley, might be more likely to develop Kwashiorkor.]()
By: airborne77Those who consume limited diets heavy in starches, such as wheat and barley, might be more likely to develop Kwashiorkor. -
![Kwashiorkor may be related to moldy food.]()
Kwashiorkor may be related to moldy food. -
![Children who live in poor, rural areas and developing countries are at an increased risk for kwashiorkor.]()
By: TheFinalMiracleChildren who live in poor, rural areas and developing countries are at an increased risk for kwashiorkor. -
![As long as a breastfeeding mother eats well, her baby should be healthy and avoid kwashiorkor.]()
By: JackFAs long as a breastfeeding mother eats well, her baby should be healthy and avoid kwashiorkor.
Discussion Comments
@indigomoth - Education is the best policy. Grassroots education, in particular, and teaching local women to teach other women. Hopefully the internet will help with collaboration to start to stamp out these kinds of diseases.
@hinder - Well, the treatment is to feed the kids protein. If they get regular protein, even a little bit, they don't suffer from this condition.
I was an aid worker for a couple of years and it really is often a matter of education. People in some areas have no access to education, but are displaced from their ancient tribal practices, because they've moved for work, or because of natural disasters or war and they just have no idea what to do with the new foods. They never traditionally ate meat because it prevented kwashiorkor and malnutrition. They ate it because the tribe ate it.
And now, when there's no meat available, they don't realize that they need to replace it with peanuts or something else. And they get influenced by advertising. One of the saddest stories I heard over there was a woman who didn't have milk for her baby, so she fed it an expensive tea. She had been told the tea was good for you and she couldn't understand why the baby sickened. She wasn't stupid. She had just never been told the basics of nutrition.
@anon5949 - I believe that it is almost always due to protein deficiency. In fact I always thought it was basically another name for protein deficiency.
If a kid was unable to absorb protein properly for some reason, it could lead to similar symptoms, I suppose. But, it mostly occurs in children who are simply not given enough protein. One of the ways you can tell when the symptoms aren't that obvious is when kids have dry-looking, reddish hair when they would ordinarily have black hair.
But, the article is right. The main symptoms are the swollen belly and a great deal of pain and discomfort and it can eventually lead to brain damage. It's a tragedy that such an easily prevented disease is so prevalent. I'll never understand why it hasn't been stamped out already.
Very good report but I would like to know how many lives it's claimed.
The other countries must provide some food to the poor countries!
very useful. helped me with my homework.
what are the organizations that help prevent kwashiorkor? Anyway, this helped a lot. Thanks.
this is the best information on this disease.
Thanks a lot.
this helped me on my homework. Thanks for letting this rare disease be known. It's something i would definitely be frightened to go through.
Very useful! Helped with homework, thank you!
content is very useful.
This is really wonderful information. i came to know about this disease properly.
That proper helped me do my work.
thanks. this article really helped me with my essay on kwashiorkor thanks.
This article really helped, I had to write an essay about Kwashiorkor and didn't know where to start! Thanks :)
this article is great thanks you you are so clever. omg
thanx i had a science essay about kwashiorkor and this really helped. thanx again
Thank you WiseGeek!! I had to do a Science Essay about Diet and Food Habits, and this article was very helpful!! TrangNguyen
where is the biggest population of this disease?
is there a certain treatment for that disease nowadays????
are there any other factors that can lead to this disease?????
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