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
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for kwashiorkor
kwashiorkor
nounkwa·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
Comments on kwashiorkor
What made you want to look up kwashiorkor? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times
- What is an earlier meaning of nice?
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
- Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times
Do you know these earlier meanings of words?
Take the quiz - Words of Snow and Ice Quiz
A selection of words from the chillier parts of t...
Take the quiz - Name That Thing
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question ...
Take the quiz - Word Winder's CrossWinder Play the game
Share kwashiorkor
Time Traveler for kwashiorkor
The first known use of kwashiorkor was in 1935
See more words from the same year