Answer 22
Characteristic features of kwashiorkor include:
False a. patient aged less than 1 year
True b. anorexia
True c. flakey discoloured skin
True d. hepatomegaly
Fasle e. splenomegaly
The word kwashiorkor is from West Africa, originally meaning the child who has been displaced from the breast. It is most common in children aged 1-2 years. Characteristic features include:
oedema
hepatomegaly
flakey discoloured skin (initially hyperpigmentation, later hypopigmented areas)
lifeless discoloured hair
apathy when left alone and irritability when picked up
gynaecomastia
