The term kwashiorkor was
introduced in 1933 by Cicely Williams who was a Jamaican physician. She found
out that this disease appeared in infants and young children between the ages
of 1 to 4 years. Kwashiorkor is mainly caused by the intake of a diet that is
low in protein but contain more carbohydrate food. It is associated with a
deficiency of calories and a combination of other factors like infection and
those that are cultural and psychologically related. It is common in young
children who are weaned to a diet consisting chiefly of cereal grains, cassava,
plantain and sweet potatoes or similar starchy foods.
introduced in 1933 by Cicely Williams who was a Jamaican physician. She found
out that this disease appeared in infants and young children between the ages
of 1 to 4 years. Kwashiorkor is mainly caused by the intake of a diet that is
low in protein but contain more carbohydrate food. It is associated with a
deficiency of calories and a combination of other factors like infection and
those that are cultural and psychologically related. It is common in young
children who are weaned to a diet consisting chiefly of cereal grains, cassava,
plantain and sweet potatoes or similar starchy foods.
Kwashiorkor, also called
protein energy malnutrition (PEM) is also a condition caused by severe protein
deficiencies. It is most often encountered in developing countries like Asia
and Africa where there is famine and poverty.
protein energy malnutrition (PEM) is also a condition caused by severe protein
deficiencies. It is most often encountered in developing countries like Asia
and Africa where there is famine and poverty.
Kwashiorkor is often
associated with deficiencies of one or more other nutrients and of calories.
When the calorie intake is inadequate and the level of dietary protein is
barely adequate, protein malnutrition may still develop; for some of the
protein is metabolized to supply the body’s energy needs.
associated with deficiencies of one or more other nutrients and of calories.
When the calorie intake is inadequate and the level of dietary protein is
barely adequate, protein malnutrition may still develop; for some of the
protein is metabolized to supply the body’s energy needs.
The term kwashiorkor also
means “deposed child” (deposed from the mother’s breast by a new born baby) in
one African dialect and in another dialect “Red Boy”. The later term comes from
the reddish orange discolouration of the hair that is characteristic of the
disease.
means “deposed child” (deposed from the mother’s breast by a new born baby) in
one African dialect and in another dialect “Red Boy”. The later term comes from
the reddish orange discolouration of the hair that is characteristic of the
disease.
Kwashiorkor stunts growth
and make children to have bloated belly and thin arms and legs.
and make children to have bloated belly and thin arms and legs.
