Epidemiology
Kwashiorkor is almost never seen in developed countries unless there is a severely restricted diet, for example due to severe autism or other behavioural/developmental factors.[3] Widespread in sub-Saharan Africa and common in South-East Asia and Central America, kwashiorkor occurs in young children living in areas with endemic food insecurity or famine. The prevalence varies by geographic area, with reported levels of severe acute malnutrition ranging from 6% in chronic food-insecure communities to 25% of young children in areas facing famine.[4][5][6] Children from rural communities, particularly those from non-pastoral subsistence farming areas without cattle, are more likely to present with kwashiorkor than other children.[7] The typical age of presentation is 1-3 years, and kwashiorkor affects girls and boys equally. It remains a major problem in food-insecure regions of the world.[8][9]
Use of this content is subject to our disclaimer