Kwashiorkor explained: a severe form of protein-energy malnutrition that causes swelling, skin changes, and diarrhea in children.

Kwashiorkor explained: a severe form of protein-energy malnutrition that causes swelling, skin changes, and diarrhea in children.

In food-insecure regions, a severe form of protein deficiency malnutrition known as kwashiorkor continues to pose a significant health challenge. Characterized by fluid retention, reduced muscle mass, diarrhoea, and anaemia, among other symptoms, the disease primarily affects weaning infants and children up to age 5.

Prevention methods for kwashiorkor focus on improving nutrition and addressing underlying causes. Encouraging breastfeeding and complementary feeding, especially in resource-limited settings, is key. Nutritional counseling and support are essential, while providing vitamin and mineral supplements to pregnant women and young children can help prevent malnutrition. Long-term measures include improving agricultural practices, reducing poverty, and improving sanitation to combat the root causes of malnutrition.

Treatment for kwashiorkor involves a multifaceted approach. Ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTF) and supplementary foods with adequate protein and energy content are commonly used to treat children with severe malnutrition, including kwashiorkor. Medical management follows established guidelines for severe acute malnutrition (SAM), which include therapeutic feeding phases with specially formulated milks (F75, F100) and antibiotics to treat infections commonly associated with kwashiorkor. Antibiotic therapy, such as mass or targeted distribution of broad-spectrum antibiotics like azithromycin, can reduce mortality risk in malnourished children by controlling infectious diseases.

Supportive care also plays a crucial role. Keeping malnourished children warm to prevent hypothermia and providing vitamin A supplementation are part of the supportive measures. Inpatient care is often required initially for stabilization, with children transitioning to outpatient care once stabilized, and continued nutritional support until full recovery. Regular monitoring of anthropometric indicators such as Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) is used to guide treatment decisions.

In summary, the treatment of kwashiorkor requires a comprehensive approach: immediate nutritional rehabilitation with therapeutic foods, medical treatment of infections and complications, and preventive strategies focused on improving overall nutrition and socio-economic conditions in vulnerable populations. By adopting these strategies, we can work towards eradicating this severe form of malnutrition and ensuring the health and well-being of children in food-insecure regions.

[^1]: UNICEF. (2018). Community Management of Acute Malnutrition: A Handbook for Training Managers. New York: UNICEF. [^2]: WHO. (2013). Guidelines for the Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Acute Malnutrition in Infants and Children. Geneva: World Health Organization. [^3]: Black et al. (2016). Community-based management of severe acute malnutrition in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet Global Health, 4(1), e23–e32. [^4]: WHO. (2013). Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) and Management of Severe Acute Malnutrition (MAM) in Children: A Practical Guide. Geneva: World Health Organization.

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