Question

question 9
which of the following is true regarding kwashiorkor?
typically it occurs when the baby is the first born child.
their abdomen swells.
the child has a huge appetite.
it is a lack of both protein and overall calories.

Explanation:

Define kwashiorkor and its clinical features

Kwashiorkor is a severe form of protein-energy malnutrition. It is characterized primarily by a severe deficiency in dietary protein, even if overall caloric intake is somewhat adequate (unlike marasmus, which is a severe deficiency in both protein and overall calories).

Analyze the clinical symptoms

A hallmark clinical sign of kwashiorkor is bilateral pitting edema, which frequently leads to a severely swollen or distended abdomen (often referred to as a "potbelly"). This swelling occurs because a lack of albumin in the blood causes fluid to leak out of the blood vessels and accumulate in the interstitial tissues.

Evaluate the given options

• Typically it occurs when the baby is the first born child: Incorrect. The term "kwashiorkor" originates from a Ga language word meaning "the sickness the baby gets when the new baby comes," typically referring to the older child who is displaced from breastfeeding by a newborn sibling (often the second child, not the first).
• Their abdomen swells: Correct. Due to severe hypoalbuminemia, fluid retention (edema) causes the abdomen to swell.
• The child has a huge appetite: Incorrect. Children suffering from kwashiorkor typically experience anorexia (a loss of appetite) and are difficult to feed.
• It is a lack of both protein and overall calories: Incorrect. This describes marasmus. Kwashiorkor is primarily a severe protein deficiency with relatively adequate calorie intake.

Answer:

• Typically it occurs when the baby is the first born child.
• Their abdomen swells. (Correct answer)
• The child has a huge appetite.
• It is a lack of both protein and overall calories.