Search
Powered By HealthLine
Special Offers
Health Tools
 Food Guide
 Cooking Tools & Calculators
 Diet Reviews
 Eat Out Smart
 Healthy Cooking
Featured Conditions
 Diet & Exercise
 Food & Fitness
 High Blood Pressure
 Cholesterol
Resources
Healthscout News
3D Health Animations
Health Videos
Quizzes & Tools
Health Encyclopedia
In-Depth Reports
Library & Communities
News Archive
Drug Library
Find a Therapist
Enter City or Zip Code:
Powered by Psychology Today
PR Newswire
 Read latest







Channels
Home |  Today | Women| Men| Kids| Seniors| Diseases| Addictions| Sex & Relationships| Diet, Fitness, Looks| Alternative Medicine| Drug Checker
Medical Health Encyclopedia
 border=



Kwashiorkor symptoms
Kwashiorkor symptoms


Kwashiorkor

Alternative Names:
Protein malnutrition; Protein-calorie malnutrition; Malignant malnutrition; Mehlä hrschaden

Treatment:

Treatment varies depending on the severity of the condition. Shock requires immediate treatment with restoration of blood volume and maintenance of blood pressure.

Text Continues Below



Calories are given first in the form of carbohydrates, simple sugars, and fats. Proteins are started after other caloric sources have already provided increased energy. Vitamin and mineral supplements are essential.

Since the person will have been without much food for a long period of time, starting oral feedings can present problems, especially if the caloric density is too high at first. Food must be reintroduced slowly, carbohydrates first to supply energy, followed by protein foods.

Many malnourished children will have developed intolerance to milk sugar (lactose intolerance) and will need to be given supplements with the enzyme lactase, if they are to benefit from milk products.



Expectations (prognosis):

Treatment early in the course of kwashiorkor generally produces good results. Treatment of kwashiorkor in its late stages will improve the child's general health, but he or she may be left with permanent physical problems and intellectual disabilities. Without treatment or if treatment comes too late, this condition is fatal.



Complications:


Calling your health care provider:

Page:  1 | 2 | Next >>

 







About The HealthScout Network Contact Us
Copyright © 2001-2009. The HealthCentralNetwork, Inc. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy: Updated as of April 1, 2009  Terms of Service   Site Map
Advertising Policy