SINCE 1828
kwashiorkor
noun
kwash·i·or·kor
| \ ˌkwä-shē-ˈȯr-kər
, -ȯr-ˈkȯr
\
, -ȯr-ˈkȯr
\
Definition of kwashiorkor
: severe malnutrition in infants and children especially of impoverished regions caused by a diet low in protein
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More Definitions for kwashiorkor
kwashiorkor
noun
kwa·shi·or·kor
| \ ˌkwäsh-ē-ˈȯr-kȯr
, -ȯ(r)-ˈkȯr
\
, -ȯ(r)-ˈkȯr
\
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
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