A 2-year-old child weighing 8 kg is brought with generalized pitting edema, sparse reddish hair, and a 'flaky paint' skin rash. She is miserable and anorexic. Serum albumin is 1.8 g/dL. What is the most likely diagnosis?
- A Marasmus
- B Kwashiorkor ✓
- C Marasmic kwashiorkor
- D Nutritional anemia
Correct answer: B. Kwashiorkor
Explanation
Kwashiorkor is a form of severe acute malnutrition characterized predominantly by protein deficiency with relatively adequate caloric intake. The hallmark features are dependent pitting edema (due to hypoalbuminemia), skin changes (flaky paint or crazy pavement dermatosis), hair changes (flag sign, depigmentation, or reddish discoloration), and a miserable, apathetic appearance. The low serum albumin confirms protein deficiency. Marasmus presents with severe wasting without edema.
Reference: Ghai Essential Pediatrics, 10th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.