Kwashiorkor is best described as which condition?

• A. Vitamin deficiency
• B. Primary protein deficiency
• C. Excess carbohydrate
• D. Mineral deficiency

Answer: (B)

Kwashiorkor is a protein-deficiency form of malnutrition. It happens when the diet provides enough or even excess calories from carbohydrates but not enough high-quality protein, especially after weaning. The lack of protein lowers plasma albumin, leading to edema, fatty liver, skin and hair changes, and growth problems. This is why it’s described as a primary protein deficiency.

By contrast, vitamin deficiencies would cause specific vitamin-related symptoms (like scurvy or rickets), an excess of carbohydrate intake is not the defining feature and wouldn’t explain the edema and fatty liver, and mineral deficiencies present with different signs.