Kwasiorkor

As a really, really delayed reaction to a previous comment/question posted: kwasiorkor, 'kwash' for short, is a serious and deadly nutrition-deficiency disease in children. It appears mainly in tropical, developing countries. When so diagnosed, treatment must be applied immediately. The two most common signs are reddish-tinted hair and big bellies with skinny arms and legs. The body is so malnourished that it can no longer absorb food; protein in particular. Signs are also prolonged diarrhea, irritability and lethargy. It is a life-threatening stage that needs immediate attention, and needs to be monitored by professionals. Plumpynut and Medical Mamba are two products that provide high doses of ingredients needed to bring the child out of the worst stages, but many children return to the condition as soon as they return home. The child, lowest on the food totem pole at home, is often only fed the rice that is left after the family eats and, if still nursed, the mother's milk contains little nourishment to help the infant or child.