In at-risk populations, kwashiorkor may develop after children are weaned from breast milk and begin consuming a diet high in carbohydrates, including maize, cassava or rice. Classification
Children with severe malnutrition have an increased risk of serious illness and death. Kwashiorkor is one of the main forms of childhood malnutrition living in low-income and middle-income countries. Kwashiorkor is oftentimes referred to as severe acute malnutrition (SAM). Severe forms of malnutritions are recognized, including stunting, marasmus, and kwashiorkor. Both kwashiorkor and marasmus fall under the umbrella of deficiencies called protein–energy malnutrition (PEM). These diseases are oftentimes discussed together, but can be distinguished. Kwashiorkor is classified by its insufficient protein consumption whereas marasmus is related to general energy deficiency and severe muscle wasting. Kwashiorkor is also distinguished from marasmus by the presence of edema. There is also marasmic kwashiorkor that is the deficiency in calories and in protein. Although they are both different types of severe acute malnutrition, there was greater consumption of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals seen in those with kwashiorkor compared to those with marasmus. Wellcomes classification
Wellcome classification is a system for classifying protein-energy malnutrition in children based on weight for their age and based on presence of edema. Other classifications include Gomez classification and Waterlow classification. Signs and symptoms
The defining sign of kwashiorkor in a malnourished child is pitting edema (particularly swelling of the hands and feet).
(2004), using Y-chromosomal DNA binary-marker haplotyping, suggested that a cohort of southern Indian hairy-eared males carried Y chromosomes from many haplogroup. The hypothesis of Y- linkage would require multiple independent mutations within a single population. No significant difference between the Y-haplogroup frequencies of hairy-eared males and those of a geographically matched control sample of unaffected males was established. The study concluded that auricular hypertrichosis is not Y-linked in southern India, though this result may not apply to all to all populations. See also
Ear hair
Hypertrichosis


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