Kwashiorkor in Africa.
Year: 1952
Type: article
Abstract: This report is the result of a recommendation made by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Nutrition at its first session in Geneva in October 1949. The relevant passage in the committees report reads as follows: One of the most widespread nutritional disorders in tropical and subtropical areas is a syndrome at present ill-defined known by various names such as kwashiorkor malignant malnutrition polydeficiency disease mbuaki syndrome depigmentation-oedeme infantile pellagra etc. The committee is satisfied that this condition is not identical with classical pellagra and suggests that the name infantile pellagra should not be used for this syndrome. It appears that the highest incidence of the disease occurs in infants and young children and that the mortality-rates in some parts of Africa are disturbingly high. There is considerable evidence to suggest that this syndrome is associated with the development of cirrhotic changes in the livers of many individuals who survive the acute forms of the disease. Cirrhosis of the liver in some form has been found in a significant number of adults in some parts of Africa and central America where kwashiorkor occurs in infants and children. The possible relationship of this cirrhosis to the development of primary carcinoma of the liver a not uncommon condition in some of these areas must also be recognized. (excerpt)
Source: PubMed
Authors: J F BROCK, M AUTRET
Language: Afrikaans
Subfield: Nutrition and Dietetics
Field: Nursing
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2280837084