kwashiorkor

American  

[kwah-shee-awr-kawr, -ker] / ˌkwɑ ʃiˈɔr kɔr, -kər /

noun

Pathology.

1. a malnutrition disease, chiefly of children, caused by severe protein and vitamin deficiency and characterized by retarded growth, changes in pigmentation, potbelly, and anemia.

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kwashiorkor British  

/ ˌkwæʃɪˈɔːkə /

noun

1. severe malnutrition of infants and young children, esp soon after weaning, resulting from dietary deficiency of protein

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kwashiorkor Scientific  

/ kwä′shē-ôr′kôr′ /

1. A severe malnutrition, seen primarily in children of tropical and subtropical regions, caused by deficiency in the quality and quantity of dietary protein. Kwahiorkor is characterized by failure to grow, anemia, liver damage, edema, discoloration of the skin or hair, and bulky stools containing undigested food.

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Etymology

Origin of kwashiorkor

1930–35; < Ga kwašiɔkɔ the influence a child is said to be under when his mother becomes pregnant with her next child; spelling with r 's is r-less speaker's representation of the vowels

Example Sentences

Kwashiorkor survivors did not overeat in this way.

From Economist • Nov. 11, 2010

Young children suffer from Protein Energy Malnutrition Grade II, in medical terminology called Kwashiorkor.

From The Guardian • Mar. 27, 2010

Kwashiorkor victims, whose tissues are usually swollen with fluid, develop a scaly rash and liver troubles.

From Time Magazine Archive