Kwashiorkor is a form of chronic malnutrition due to deficiency of which nutrient?

• A. Carbohydrates
• B. Fats
• C. Protein
• D. Vitamins

Answer: (C)

Kwashiorkor is a form of chronic malnutrition caused by not getting enough protein, even if calories may be adequate. Protein is essential for building tissues and, importantly, for making albumin, the protein that maintains blood volume and fluid balance. When protein intake is too low, albumin production falls, reducing oncotic pressure in blood vessels and allowing fluid to leak into interstitial spaces, which leads to edema and a swollen belly. The liver also becomes fatty because there aren’t enough proteins to form lipoproteins that export fats. Signs often include edema, fatty liver, changes in hair and skin, and poor growth. If the diet provides enough calories but little protein, Kwashiorkor results; deficiencies in carbohydrates or fats mainly cause energy shortfalls and wasting, while vitamins deficiencies cause specific deficiency diseases. So the nutrient that deficiency underlies Kwashiorkor is protein.