The dermatosis of kwashiorkor in young children.
A characteristic dermatosis is often seen in young children suffering from kwashiorkor, one of the severe forms of protein-energy malnutrition (PEM). The skin lesions usually first occur in areas subject to friction or pressure, for example the groin, behind the knees, on the buttocks, and at the elbows; in advanced cases, the dermatosis may be almost anywhere on the body--trunk, limbs, or head. Darkly pigmented patches form, and these may peel or desquamate, rather like old, sun-baked blistered paint. This has led to the terms "peeling paint" or "flaky paint" dermatosis. Underneath these flakes are atrophic depigmented areas that may resemble a healing burn. This dermatosis does not occur in children with nutritional marasmus, the other life-threatening form of PEM. Kwashiorkor may be diagnosed and the condition be serious without any dermatosis being present. However, when "flaky paint" dermatosis is seen in a malnourished child with edema, it is pathognomonic of the disease kwashiorkor.
Latham
M C
MC
Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853.
D002648:Child; D006201:Hair Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007732:Kwashiorkor / Q000150:complications*; D010859:Pigmentation Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000209:etiology*