Kwashiorkor is primarily caused by which condition?

• A. Protein malnutrition
• B. Overconsumption of fats
• C. Vitamin D deficiency
• D. Excess protein intake

Answer: (A)

Kwashiorkor is driven by protein malnutrition. When the diet provides enough calories but is very low in high-quality protein, the body can’t make enough plasma proteins such as albumin. That lowers oncotic pressure in the blood, so fluid leaks into tissues and edema develops. The liver becomes fatty because triglycerides accumulate without sufficient apolipoproteins to export them. Clinically this shows up as edema, a swollen abdomen, skin and hair changes, and increased susceptibility to infections. This contrasts with other issues like fat overconsumption, vitamin D deficiency, or simply eating too much protein—none of those cause the characteristic protein-deficiency–driven problems of kwashiorkor.