Question

What are the characteristics and management of Kwashiorkor?

Answer 1

Kwashiorkor is a protein energy malnutrition characterized by

-edema

- growth retardation

- sparse, straight and easily puckable hairs

- puffy eyes due to present of edema

- hepatomegaly

- wasting of upper arms and upper trunk

- body edema espicially in the lower arms, legs and lower trunk

- scaly skin, skin rashes with depigmentation

- Ulceration on lower limbs

Treatment

• Provision of high rich protein diet such as meat, eggs, soyabeans, etc.
• Increase intake of calories from sugars,fats and carbohydrates.
• Vitamin and mineral supplement should be given
• Correction of fluid and electrolyte imbalance should be done.
• Lactase enzyme should be administer because the patient with protein malnutrition have difficult in digestion of lactose
• Antibiotic should be administer to prevent from infection example ampicillin, cefotaxime, ceftriaxone.
• Follow standard pracaution measures to prevent infection