A 5-year old girl presents to the clinic for a well-child check. She was recently adopted from a refugee camp in Southeast Asia, and her biological family history is unknown. Her parents are concerned that she appears very thin but has a large protuberant abdomen. Temperature is 37°C (98.6°F), pulse is 90/min, respirations are 14/min and blood pressure is 110/70 mmHg. On physical exam, she appears irritable and minimally consolable by her mother. Examination reveals a distended abdomen, bilateral pitting edema, and muscle wasting. Laboratory results are significant for hypoalbuminemia, anemia, and hypophosphatemia. What is the most likely cause of edema seen in this patient’s condition?

Kwashiorkor is a type of malnutrition that results from severe protein-energy deficiency in diet. It is most often seen in developing countries, where people may not have access to a variety of foods. Kwashiorkor can cause a number of symptoms, including swelling, weakness, hair loss, and changes in skin color. In severe cases, kwashiorkor can lead to death.

Kwashiorkor

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Kwashiorkor

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