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Kwashiorkor - Overview

Nombres alternativos

Desnutrición proteica; Desnutrición proteica calórica; Desnutrición maligna

Definición:

Es una forma de desnutrición que ocurre cuando no hay suficiente proteína en la dieta.

Causas, incidencia y factores de riesgo:

El kwashiorkor es más común en áreas donde hay:

  • Hambre
  • Suministro limitado de alimentos
  • Bajos niveles de educación (cuando las personas no comprenden cómo consumir una dieta apropiada)

Esta enfermedad en más frecuente en países muy pobres y, a menudo, ocurre durante una sequía u otro desastre natural o durante épocas de inestabilidad política. Estas situaciones son responsables de la falta de alimento, lo cual lleva a que se presente desnutrición.

El kwashiorkor es muy raro en los niños en los EE. UU. y sólo se presentan casos aislados. Sin embargo, un cálculo gubernamental sugiere que hasta el 50% de los adultos mayores en los asilos de ancianos en los EE. UU. no reciben la proteína suficiente en su dieta.

Cuando el kwashiorkor sí se presenta en los Estados Unidos, generalmente es un signo de maltrato infantil y descuido grave.

  • Reviewed last on: 1/29/2010
  • Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Referencias

Heird WC. Food insecurity, hunger, and undernutrition. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 43.

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