The lymphatic system serves three major purposes: fluid recovery, immunity, and lipid absorption. Victims of kwashiorkor commonly exhibit reduced ability to recover fluids, immune system failure, and low lipid absorption, all of which result from a state of severe undernourishment. Fluid recovery in the lymphatic system is accomplished by re-absorption of water and proteins which are then returned to the blood. Compromised fluid recovery results in the characteristic belly distension observed in highly malnourished children.Capillary exchange between the lymphatic system and the bloodstream is stunted due to the inability of the body to effectively overcome the hydrostatic pressure gradient. Proteins, mainly albumin, are responsible for creating the colloid osmotic pressure (COP) observed in the blood and tissue fluids. The difference in the COP of the blood and tissue is called the oncotic pressure. The oncotic pressure is in direct opposition with the hydrostatic pressure and tends to draw water back into the capillary by osmosis. However, due to the lack of proteins, no substantial pressure gradient can be established to draw fluids from the tissue back into the blood stream. This results in the pooling of fluids, causing the swelling and distention of the abdomen.The low protein intake leads to some specific signs: edema of the hands and feet, irritability, anorexia, a desquamative rash, hair discolouration, and a large fatty liver. The typical swollen abdomen is due to two causes: ascites because of hypoalbuminemia (low oncotic pressure), and enlarged fatty liver.Ignorance of nutrition can be a cause.
Compound may refer to:

Architecture and built environments
Compound (enclosure), a cluster of buildings having a shared purpose, usually inside a fence or wall
Compound (fortification), a version of the above fortified with defensive structures
Compound (migrant labour), a hostel for migrant workers such as those historically connected with mines in South Africa
The Compound, an area of Palm Bay, Florida, US
Komboni or compound, a type of slum in Zambia

Government and law
Composition (fine), a legal procedure in use after the English Civil War
Committee for Compounding with Delinquents, an English Civil War institution that allowed Parliament to compound the estates of Royalists
Compounding treason, an offence under the common law of England
Compounding a felony, a previous offense under the common law of England

Linguistics
Compound (linguistics), a word that consists of more than one radical element
Compound sentence (linguistics), a type of sentence made up of two or more independent clauses and no subordinate (dependent) clauses

Science, technology, and mathematics
Biology and medicine
Compounding, the mixing of drugs in pharmacy
Compound fracture, a complete fractures of bone where at least one fragment has damaged the skin, soft tissue or surrounding body cavity
Compound leaf, a type of leaf being divided into smaller leaflets

Chemistry and materials science
Chemical compound, combination of two or more elements
Plastic compounding, a method of preparing plastic formulations

Vehicles and engines
Compound engine, a steam engine in which steam is expanded through a series of two or three cylinders before exhaust
Turbo-compound engine, an internal combustion engine where exhaust gases expand through power-turbines
Compounding pressure, a method in which pressure in a steam turbine is made to drop in a number of stages

Other uses in science, technology, and mathematics
Compound bow, a type of bow for archery
Polyhedral compound, a polyhedron composed of multiple polyhedra sharing the same centre

Other uses
Common names
Compound (music), an attribute of a time signature
Compound interest, in finance, unpaid interest that is added to the principal
Compound chocolate, an inexpensive chocolate substitute that uses cocoa but excludes cocoa butter

Proper names
The Compound (book), a 2008 young adult novel by S. A. Bodeen
Compound (company), a venture capital firm previously known as Metamorphic Ventures
Eisenhuth Horseless Vehicle Company, or Compound, a former US automobile manufacturer

See also
Composite (disambiguation)