Kwashiorkor is associated with visceral protein wasting causing hypoalbuminemia, with preservation of fat and somatic muscle. Which option best describes it?

• A. Kwashiorkor is associated with edema due to hypoalbuminemia and fat loss
• B. Kwashiorkor is associated with visceral protein wasting causing hypoalbuminemia, with preservation of fat and somatic muscle
• C. Kwashiorkor is defined by increased visceral protein stores and edema
• D. Kwashiorkor is caused by excessive protein intake without fat loss

Answer: (B)

Kwashiorkor centers on loss of visceral (visceral protein) stores, especially albumin, leading to hypoalbuminemia and edema, while fat and skeletal muscle are relatively preserved. The statement that best describes it captures this pattern: hypoalbuminemia from visceral protein wasting with preserved fat and somatic (muscle) mass. The edema comes from reduced plasma oncotic pressure due to low albumin, not from fat loss.

Other options misrepresent the pattern: edema with fat loss would point toward different wasting; increased visceral protein stores and edema contradicts the deficit seen in Kwashiorkor; and excessive protein intake with fat loss describes a different, unlikely scenario.