Guide To The Causes And Symptoms Of Kwashiorkor

Failure To Gain Weight Or Grow

As mentioned earlier, a kwashiorkor patient cannot build muscle and fat properly. When the patient is a child, this can disrupt their natural rate of growth. Children who suffer from kwashiorkor will become smaller and weaker than those who have the advantage of a diet with enough protein. This failure to gain weight or grow can have severe consequences for a child's physical and mental development. Unless treated early enough, a child with kwashiorkor may never attain their full growth and strength. Untreated kwashiorkor can also cause lifelong mental disabilities if the patient's brain does not grow properly.