Which statement best describes Kwashiorkor?

• A. Visceral protein wasting with preserved fat and somatic muscle
• B. Visceral protein wasting with hypoalbuminemia, with preservation of fat and somatic muscle
• C. Edema is the sole defining feature
• D. It is the same as marasmus

Answer: (B)

Kwashiorkor is a form of protein-energy malnutrition driven by insufficient protein intake despite relatively adequate calories. The key feature is low visceral protein production, especially albumin, leading to hypoalbuminemia and edema from decreased plasma oncotic pressure. At the same time, fat stores and somatic (muscle) tissue are relatively preserved compared with the severe muscle and fat wasting seen in marasmus. This combination—visceral protein loss with low albumin and preserved fat and somatic tissue—best fits how Kwashiorkor presents.

Edema is common in Kwashiorkor, but it isn’t the only defining sign, and the condition differs from marasmus, where there is severe wasting of muscle and fat without prominent edema. The option that highlights visceral protein wasting with hypoalbuminemia and preservation of fat and somatic muscle aligns with the classic pattern of Kwashiorkor.