Definitions for kwashiorkorˌkwɑ ʃiˈɔr kɔr, -kər
Random House Webster's College Dictionary
kwash•i•or•korˌkwɑ ʃiˈɔr kɔr, -kər(n.)
a disease, chiefly of children, caused by severe protein and vitamin deficiency and characterized by retarded growth, potbelly, and anemia.
Category: Pathology
Origin of kwashiorkor:
1930–35; < Gã (Kwa language of coastal Ghana) kwàšìɔk? the influence a child is said to be under when his or her mother becomes pregnant with her next child
Princeton's WordNet
kwashiorkor(noun)
severe malnutrition in children resulting from a diet excessively high in carbohydrates and low in protein
Wiktionary
kwashiorkor(Noun)
A form of malnutrition, found in children, caused by dietary insufficiency of protein in combination with a high carbohydrate diet.
U.S. National Library of Medicine
Kwashiorkor
A syndrome produced by severe protein deficiency, characterized by retarded growth, changes in skin and hair pigment, edema, and pathologic changes in the liver, including fatty infiltration, necrosis, and fibrosis. The word is a local name in Gold Coast, Africa, meaning "displaced child". Although first reported from Africa, kwashiorkor is now known throughout the world, but mainly in the tropics and subtropics. It is considered to be related to marasmus. (From Dorland, 27th ed)
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