The neglect of kwashiorkor
- Mwanza, Tanzania : Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences [CUHAS-Bugando] : 2023
- Pages 751 - 753 Includes References
- The lancet Child & Adolescent Health Volume7, Issue 11, .
Kwashiorkor is a syndrome of severe acute malnutrition in children. Its distribution was once global, but most cases are now found in sub-Saharan Africa. Globally, kwashiorkor is estimated to affect hundreds of thousands of children each year. 1 Whereas marasmus is defined by severe wasting (ie, weight-for-height Z score <–3), kwashiorkor is a syndrome of oedematous malnutrition, with an array of accompanying symptoms, including skin breakdown, gut barrier dysfunction, and increased risk for sepsis. Survivors face long-term complications, including impaired neurocognitive develoment, which is associated with lower academic performance 2 and reduced economic achievement in adulthood. Kwashiorkor perpetuates cycles of poverty and has a broad impact on human health and development. Yet kwashiorkor is often overlooked.