Nutritional & Blood Disorders
Kwashiorkor
Serious
ICD-10: E40 · NIH NLM
हिंदी: क्वाशियोरकोर · தமிழ்: குவாஷியோர்கார் · ಕನ್ನಡ: ಕ್ವಾಶಿಯೋರ್ಕರ್ · తెలుగు: క్వాషియోర్కార్ · বাংলা: কোয়াশিয়রকর · मराठी: क्वाशियोरकोर · ગુજરાતી: ક્વાશિયોરકોર
About this condition
Kwashiorkor is a severe form of malnutrition caused primarily by lack of protein in the diet, though calorie intake may be adequate. It commonly affects young children during weaning and causes characteristic swelling of the body, skin changes, and belly distension. This condition is a medical emergency requiring immediate hospitalization and nutritional rehabilitation under medical supervision.
Common symptoms
swelling of hands and feet
skin changes
irritability
loss of appetite
muscle wasting
hair discoloration
protruding belly
When to see a doctor: immediately
This condition in Indian languages
| Hindi (हिंदी) | क्वाशियोरकोर · प्रोटीन कुपोषण · सूजन वाला कुपोषण · पोषक तत्वों की कमी |
| Tamil (தமிழ்) | குவாஷியோர்கார் · புரத ஊட்டச்சத்து குறை · வீக்க ஊட்டச்சத்து குறை · ஊட்டச்சத்து பற்றாக்குறை |
| Kannada (ಕನ್ನಡ) | ಕ್ವಾಶಿಯೋರ್ಕರ್ · ಪ್ರೋಟೀನ್ ಕೊರತೆ · ಊತ ಪೋಷಣೆ ಕೊರತೆ · ಪೋಷಕಾಂಶ ಕೊರತೆ |
| Telugu (తెలుగు) | క్వాషియోర్కార్ · ప్రోటీన్ లోపం · వాపు పోషకాహార లోపం · పోషకాహార లోపం |
| Bengali (বাংলা) | কোয়াশিয়রকর · প্রোটিনের অভাব · ফোলা অপুষ্টি · পুষ্টির অভাব |
| Marathi (मराठी) | क्वाशियोरकोर · प्रथिने कमतरता · सूज असलेले कुपोषण · पोषण कमतरता |
| Gujarati (ગુજરાતી) | ક્વાશિયોરકોર · પ્રોટીન ઉણપ · સોજવાળુ કુપોષણ · પોષક તત્વોની ઉણપ |
Frequently asked questions
What are the symptoms of Kwashiorkor?
swelling of hands and feet, skin changes, irritability, loss of appetite, muscle wasting, hair discoloration.
When should I see a doctor?
immediately
Is Kwashiorkor common in India?
This condition is commonly seen in Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and is more prevalent during year-round season.
How serious is Kwashiorkor?
Severity is classified as Serious. immediately.
Related conditions
Important: This information is for general awareness only and is
not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified doctor.
In an emergency, call 112.
Data sourced from NIH NLM
and MOHFW India.
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