Kwashiorkor is primarily caused by a deficiency of which nutrient?

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

Answer: (B)

Kwashiorkor arises from a severe protein deficiency. Protein is needed to make albumin, the blood protein that helps keep fluid in the vessels by maintaining oncotic pressure. When protein intake is very low, albumin levels fall, reducing oncotic pressure and allowing fluid to leak into tissues, causing edema most noticeable in the legs and abdomen. Without enough protein, the liver also becomes fatty because there aren’t enough proteins to assemble lipoproteins that export fat from the liver. This scenario often occurs even if total calories are adequate, such as during weaning when a diet is high in starch but low in protein. While lack of calories or fats or vitamins can cause other issues, kwashiorkor is specifically driven by insufficient protein intake.