kwa·shi·or·kor (kwä sh -ôr kôr)n. Severe protein malnutrition, especially in children after weaning, marked by lethargy, growth retardation, anemia, edema, potbelly, skin depigmentation, and hair loss or change in hair color. [Ga (Niger-Congo language of Ghana) kwashi  k.] |
kwashiorkor [ˌkwæʃɪˈɔːkə]
n
(Medicine / Pathology) severe malnutrition of infants and young children, esp soon after weaning, resulting from dietary deficiency of protein
[from a native word in Ghana]
| kwashiorkor (kwäsh-ôrkôr) A severe malnutrition, seen primarily in children of tropical and subtropical regions, caused by deficiency in the quality and quantity of dietary protein. Kwahiorkor is characterized by failure to grow, anemia, liver damage, edema, discoloration of the skin or hair, and bulky stools containing undigested food. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | kwashiorkor - severe malnutrition in children resulting from a diet excessively high in carbohydrates and low in protein malnutrition - a state of poor nutrition; can result from insufficient or excessive or unbalanced diet or from inability to absorb foods |
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