Kwashiorkor is differentiated from marasmus pathophysiologically because kwashiorkor results from:

• A Deficiency of total calorie and protein intake, causing muscle wasting without oedema
• B Deficiency of vitamin A causing night blindness and poor immunity
• C Zinc deficiency causing growth retardation and skin changes
• D Predominant protein deficiency with relatively adequate calorie intake, causing hypoalbuminaemia and oedema ✓

Explanation

Kwashiorkor results from predominantly protein-deficient diet (often weaning diet high in carbohydrates but poor in protein), leading to hypoalbuminaemia, oedema, skin changes, and fatty liver. Marasmus results from severe total calorie-protein deficit causing generalised wasting without oedema. The hypoalbuminaemia-driven oedema is the cardinal distinguishing feature of kwashiorkor. Vitamin A deficiency causes xerophthalmia, and zinc deficiency causes acrodermatitis enteropathica.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.