Kwashiorkor

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Kwashiorkor


  • child fed on diet with very low protein content
    • often displaced from breast-feeding by new child

Clinical Features

  • apathetic
  • lethargic
  • severe anorexia
  • generalised oedema
  • skin pigmentation and thickening
  • hair
    • dry
    • sparse
    • may be reddish / yellow
  • abdomen distended
    • hepatomegaly
    • oedema

Investigations

Treatment

  • fluid rescucitation
    • ORS
  • refeeding
    • 450 kJ/kg/day - 0.6g/kg protein
    • vitamin supplements
  • prevention of
    • hypothermia
    • hypoglycaemia
  • rehabilitation
 

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