kwashiorkor

kwash·i·or·kor

noun \ˌkwä-shē-ˈȯr-kər, -ȯr-ˈkȯr\

Definition of KWASHIORKOR

: severe malnutrition in infants and children especially of impoverished regions caused by a diet low in protein

Origin of KWASHIORKOR

Ga (Kwa language of coastal Ghana) kwàṣìɔkɔ́ influence a child is said to be under when a second child comes

First Known Use: 1935

kwa·shi·or·kor

noun \ˌkwäsh-ē-ˈȯr-kȯr, -ȯ(r)-ˈkȯr\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of KWASHIORKOR

: severe malnutrition chiefly affecting young children especially of impoverished regions that is characterized by failure to grow and develop, changes in the pigmentation of the skin and hair, edema, fatty degeneration of the liver, anemia, and apathy and is caused by a diet excessively high in carbohydrate and extremely low in protein—compare pellagra

kwashiorkor

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Condition caused by severe protein deficiency. It is common in tropical and subtropical regions in young children weaned on a diet chiefly of starchy foods such as grains, cassava, plantain, and sweet potato. It causes potbelly, edema, weakness, irritability, dry skin with rash, reddish-orange hair discoloration, diarrhea, anemia, and fat deposits in the liver. Mental development may be stunted. Adults who had the disease in childhood may be at risk of diseases such as cirrhosis. Treatment is protein supplementation, often in the form of dried skim milk. For long-term prevention, development of high-protein plant mixtures based on local food preferences and availability is encouraged. Nondietary causes include inadequate absorption of nutrients by the intestines, chronic alcoholism, kidney disease, and trauma (e.g., infection, burns) causing abnormal protein loss.