2006-08-06 13:36:55 · 9 answers · asked by sissy 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
It's a child malnutrition caused by protein deficiency, also called PEM (Protein Energy Malnutrition). There are two kinds of protein deficiency: Kwashiorkor and Marosmus. The condition you've described is one of many symptoms of Kwashiorkor. Kwashiorkor is caused by an older child no longer having an access to breast milk once a new sibling is born. A child receives certain amino acids vital for growth, and when the diet replacing the mother's milk is lacking protein, the child may develop Kwashiorkor. There are two major causes for the enlarged abdomens:
1) A low level of albumin (a major protein in human body) in blood ------> causes an accumulation of fluid in the membrane lining the abdominal cavity (peritoneal cavity)
2) Accumulation of fat in liver due to lack of protein transport of lipid from liver to body tissues.
2006-08-06 14:07:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is caused by malnutrition. The enlargement is actually Ascites. This is caused by a buildup of fluids as the body's cells break down. Just like what happens in cancer patients towards the end of the course of the disease.
2006-08-06 13:47:47 · answer #2 · answered by shirley_corsini 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you are starving the body does not have enough proteins (essential nutrients) so your protein albumin (made by liver) is so low that it cannot mainatin your osmotic pressure in blood vessels. With low osmotic pressure, fluids in your capillary vessels leave the vessels and cannot get back. The abdominal cavity is filled of fluids since when you are hungry you tend to drink water to feel "full"! That is why the "tummy" was bulged out from the accumulated fluids. See Anasarca in Google!!
2006-08-06 13:46:45 · answer #3 · answered by Tony I 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are two prominent diseases that come with malnutrition. One, which comes from a lack of protein that arises when most calories are derived from starchy foods, causes the enlarged abdomens.
2006-08-06 13:40:07 · answer #4 · answered by optionseeker1989 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bulging bellies are signs of starvation. The liver has stopped functioning properly. There are also gases in there when food has been deficient for an extended period.
2006-08-06 13:47:23 · answer #5 · answered by lcmcpa 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is due to Kwashiorhor, which is one type of PEM (protein-energy malnutrition). The other type of PEM is marasmus.
Cheers!
2006-08-06 14:00:41 · answer #6 · answered by xuxu 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
their organs just bulge out due from malnutrition and being unhealthy. Sad
2006-08-06 13:38:59 · answer #7 · answered by Weebles 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hypoproteinemia-- decrease protein in their diets causes this.
2006-08-06 13:47:29 · answer #8 · answered by c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are diseases that cause that over there.
2006-08-06 13:40:42 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋