Kwashiorkor is a severe malnutrition disease caused by a diet which supplies adequate calories through its carbohydrate content but which is seriously lacking protein.  Kwashiorkor commonly developes in children who are between the ages of one and five and who are weaned from milk to a diet of primarily starches and sugars.

Symptoms of kwashiorkor include changes in the skin and hair, retarded growth, diarrhea, loss of appetite, nervous irratability and edema.  Sever infections and many vitamin deficiencies often accompany kwashiorkor.

The initial treatment for the disease is aimed at correction the protein deficiency.  Because of the patient’s poor ability to tolerate fat, a skim-milk formula is often used in treatment.  Gradually, additional foods are added until the patient progresses to a well-balanced diet.  Vitamin deficiencies, if they exist, must be corrected.

Nutrients that may be beneficial in the treatment of kwashiorkor:  Vitamins A, C, D, E, Folic Acid, Chromium, Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Selenium and Protein.

Information obtained from the Nutrition Almanac, Third Edition, Lavon J. Dunne

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