Introduction
Kwashiorkor is a nutritional disease caused by severe protein malnutrition, especially among children under the age of five years (Benjamin & Lappin, 2022). In most cases, the disease occurs among children who undergo severe cases of malnutrition, and it has been reported to be prevalent in the Sub-Saharan region of Africa. According to statistics recorded by UNICEF, the number of reported cases since 2000 has been declining gradually. In 2022, UNICEF recorded about 148.1 million cases, which decreased compared to the previous year when the cases were 149.6% (UNICEF, 2023). Globally, about one million new cases are reported for suffering from kwashiorkor due to malnutrition. The main risks that put children at risk of suffering from kwashiorkor are overreliance on carbohydrates and failure to consume a balanced diet for the children.
Critical analysis of kwashiorkor
Since 2000, the number of children suffering from kwashiorkor has gradually decreased. However, measures still need to be established to reduce these cases and attain the 2030 vision. Kwashiorkor is a nutritional disease mainly affecting children under five due to severe starvation and malnutrition. It is caused by having less proteins in the body.
The condition develops when a child has fewer proteins in the body, which leads to fat depletion in the body, thus resulting in the condition. When children consume more carbohydrates and less proteins, there is fluid retention in the body tissues, resulting in the swelling of the body parts such as the stomach and the abdomen. The children with this condition look emaciated, especially the limbs, but have swollen hands and feet (Benjamin & Lappin, 2022). In other cases, children develop this condition due to food scarcity; thus, they only have access to limited food rich in carbohydrates and lacking proteins essential to the body. Infants are likely to develop kwashiorkor when they are weaned earlier than six months and fail to be supplemented with a balanced diet rich in all the nutrients in the right proportions.
Signs and symptoms of Kwashiorkor
There are various signs and symptoms of kwashiorkor that one may easily identify. These signs and symptoms are swollen belly, ankles, and hands. The swollen areas result from the build-up of fluids commonly known as ascites (Obasohan et al., 2020). The hair of the children with kwashiorkor appears brittle and brown; in some cases, it may result in hair loss. The children appear pale and emaciated and are always fatigued. They experience stunted growth and have depleted muscles, which is a result of the depletion of the subcutaneous layer in the body.
Complications related to kwashiorkor
If the condition remains untreated, it will likely result in other complications and disorders. The condition is likely to lead to abnormalities of the gastrointestinal tract, such as bacterial overgrowth and lactase deficiency. In other cases, kwashiorkor can develop into cardiovascular system collapse, and it also causes a weakened immune system of the affected child. In severe cases, it leads to death.
Treatment and prevention
However, despite the condition’s prevalence, it can be treated and prevented by ensuring that children under five years are provided with a balanced diet rich in proteins. When the condition is identified early enough, the victim can be given more carbohydrates, sugars, and fats calories. The intake needs to be monitored and increased gradually since the body has been without a proper diet for a long thus; and it has to adjust to the intake slowly.
Recommendations
Therefore, It is recommended that the condition be prevented by observing the portions consumed by children and ensuring that they are the right ones. The diet should contain at least 10% carbohydrates and 12% proteins (Benjamin & Lappin, 2022). The diet can also be supplemented by other foods, such as fruits and vegetables, which provide vitamins to the body.
Conclusion
Conclusively, kwashiorkor is a condition linked to malnutrition practices, mainly affecting children under the age of five years. Based on the current statistics, the cases have gradually decreased since 2000, and it is important to ensure that efforts are enhanced to meet the 2030 target. The condition can easily be prevented and managed when adhering to the right diet and ensuring it is balanced.
References
Benjamin, O., & Lappin, S. L. (2022). Kwashiorkor. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing.
Obasohan, P. E., Walters, S. J., Jacques, R., & Khatab, K. (2019). Risk Factors Associated with Malnutrition among Children Under-Five Years in Sub-Saharan African Countries: A Scoping Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(23), 82–87. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17238782
UNICEF. (2023, May 12). Child Malnutrition. Retrieved August 24, 2023, from https://data.unicef.org/topic/nutrition/malnutrition/#:~:text=In%202022%2C%2022.3%20per%20cent,204.2%20 million%20to%20148.1%20million.
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