A Chubby Child: Is This a Sign of Health or Malnutrition?
April 2015
in “
Archives of disease in childhood
”
Studysummary This case report describes a British toddler diagnosed with Kwashiorkor, highlighting that such malnutrition-related disorders are rare in developed countries due to strong socio-economic support systems.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
A 15-month-old British girl exhibited severe anemia, anasarca, dermatitis, hepatomegaly, hypo-pigmented hair, hair loss, and developmental delays, despite appropriate weight but stunted height. Blood tests showed severe deficiencies in iron, vitamin B12, and other nutrients, with low albumin and total protein levels. The child, primarily breastfed by a strict vegan mother, was diagnosed with Kwashiorkor, a condition more common in developing countries. This case underscored the need to consider malnutrition in clinical assessments in developed countries, leading to the implementation of safeguarding procedures to support the family.
