Prevention of Kwashiorkor

Since Kwashiorkor is mainly a nutritional disorder, it can be easily prevented by following simple steps:

  • Having a balanced intake of all nutrients, including proteins.
  • Breastfeeding must be encouraged for up to 6 months after birth as breastmilk contains a balanced protein diet for infants.
  • Easy access to a nutritional diet should be maintained for the mother and children up to the age of five to prevent any dietary disorders like Kwashiorkor.
  • Healthcare systems worldwide, mainly in rural and developing areas, must be strengthened to improve the early detection and treatment of malnutrition in children.
  • Awareness programs must be held to prevent the occurrence of the disease due to neglect.

Kwashiorkor – An Overview

Kwashiorkor is caused by a protein deficiency in an individual’s diet. It is a form of acute malnutrition and is seen in growing children subjected to starvation and malnutrition. It is also called edematous malnutrition due to the formation of edema (fluid) retained in the body, especially the neck, joints, and stomach.

Kwashiorkor symptoms are swelling of the neck, legs, and abdomen due to fluid retention, etc. Treatment includes a protein-rich diet and other nutrients. In this article, we will study Kwashiorkor, symptoms, and treatment of Kwashiorkor along with the diagnosis.

Table of Content

  • What is Kwashiorkor?
  • Who does Kwashiorkor affect?
  • Kwashiorkor Causes
  • Complications in Kwashiorkor Disease
  • Sign and Symptoms of Kwashiorkor
  • Diagnosis of Kwashiorkor
  • Treatment of Kwashiorkor
  • Prevention of Kwashiorkor
  • Management of Kwashiorkor

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What is Kwashiorkor?

Kwashiorkor disease is caused by the deficiency of protein in the diet for a prolonged period. Children living in developing countries are more prone to suffer from this disorder. Usually, Kwashiorkor is frequent within those populations that do not have access to an adequate nutritional diet. Kwashiorkor is characterized by swelling of the neck, legs, and abdomen due to fluid retention. Retarred growth, pale skin, etc. are additional symptoms. It can also be characterized by ascites in the advanced stages....

Who Does Kwashiorkor Affect?

Kwashiorkor mainly affects children below the age of 5. It is seen in children who have recently been weaned from breastfeeding and have been shifted to a diet of other normal foods. It is also seen to been more frequent in developing countries, drought affected areas and Sub-Saharan countries were acquiring nutrition via a balanced diet due to lack of food resources is difficult....

Kwashiorkor Causes

Protein is an essential part of our diet as it is the building block of life. It is required for the normal functioning of humans and cell division, repair, and growth. A prolonged protein deficiency in the diet causes Kwashiokor. Some obvious causes of Kwashiorkar are as follows:...

Complications in Kwashiorkor Disease

Nutritional deficiencies like Kwashiorkor can cause a number of complications if not treated. These include:...

Sign and Symptoms of Kwashiorkor

The characteristic symptom of Kwashiorkor is edema. The various symptoms of Kwashiorkor include:...

Diagnosis of Kwashiorkor

Multiple tests are conducted to diagnose a patient with Kwashiorkor. These include...

Treatment of Kwashiorkor

In patients where Kwashiorkor is diagnosed early, it can be treated completely. Primary treatment of Kwashiorkor is nutritional rehabilitation and supportive care. Additional treatments can also be required based on the severity of the problem....

Prevention of Kwashiorkor

Since Kwashiorkor is mainly a nutritional disorder, it can be easily prevented by following simple steps:...

Management of Kwashiorkor

The management of Kwashiorkor involves treatment of the nutritional deficiencies and managing complications. The key components of Kwashiorkor management are:...

Conclusion: Kwashiorkor

Kwashiorkor is caused by a protein deficiency in diet and is treated with an intake of protein-rich food. The Kwashiorkor symptoms are edema (swelling), skin lesions, hair discoloration, fatigue, and a distended abdomen. All individuals and health organizations must know the causes, symptoms, and treatment of Kwashiorkor to prevent the occurrence of the disease. Developing children should be given proper balanced diets to avoid nutritional disorders like Kwashiokor for healthy body functioning and growth....

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