kwashiorkor

[ kwah-shee-awr-kawr, -ker ]

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.

kwashiorkor

/ ˌkwæʃɪˈɔːkə /

noun

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

kwashiorkor

/ 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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of kwashiorkor¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of kwashiorkor¹

C20: from a native word in Ghana

Example Sentences

“Historically, the image was what people saw on TV: kids starving, kwashiorkor and flies,” he said, referring to a severe form of malnutrition marked by a swollen belly.

From Seattle Times

Residents of Biafra got most of their protein from dried fish; without it, children quickly developed kwashiorkor, a protein deficiency that caused their bellies to swell.

From New York Times

All three are native English speakers but also know official spelling bee words with African roots, such as “kente,” a woven cloth, or “kwashiorkor,” a protein deficiency.

From Washington Post

I am emaciated with the typical kwashiorkor belly of the malnourished.

From Los Angeles Times

He is suffering from severe protein malnutrition, known as kwashiorkor: his tiny body is swollen with edema, with patches of skin discolored and showing raw flesh.

From Reuters