PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

KWASHIORKOR

PREDISPOSING FACTORS Age: Occurs mainly in children Sex: Common in both sexes Etiology: a mainly carbohydrate diet

PRECIPITATING FACTORS Diet: inadequate in calories and grossly deficient in protein Disease: common if already having parasitic diseases or infectious diarrhea

malnutrition

inadequate in calories and grossly deficient in protein

decreased protein levels

Decreased number of immunoglobulins

decreased lean muscle mass

hypoalbuminemia

Decreased level of apolipoproteins

decreased resistance against infection

Muscle wasting

sodium and glucose will not be enough to hold plasma inside blood vessel

Decreased lev transport lipids (cholesterol) from the liver to body tissues

Decreased erythropoietin production

Decreased oncotic pressure

Fatty liver

anemia

Increased capillary permeability

Enlarged liver (hepatomegaly)

Swollen abdomen Fluid shifts from intravascular and intracellular space to interstitial space

change in hair color or texture Loss of appetite lethargy (fatigue)

edema

General apathy changes in skin pigment failure to gain weight

irritability (excessive response to a stimulus)