[Kwashiorkor. Dermatological and clinical aspects (Analysis of 100 cases)].

The Authors study 100 children with "kwashiorkor", treated at Municipal Hospital Jesus (Rio de Janeiro). The children came from prolitic families of low economical resources. Their age is between 4 months and 8 years, 53% of them beiney halfbreed, 32% white people and 15% negroes. Diagnosis was based on alimentary deficiency in high caloric value proteins (100%), oedema (100%), muco-cutaneous alterations (78%), capillary changes (65%), apathy (75%), muco-cutaneous pallox (67%), and complementary examinations (total and fraction proteins, sodium, potassium hemoglobin). They emphasize the role of intercurrent infections (verminosis, pneumopathies, virosis, otitis, etc.). Treatment was carried out through correction of desnutrition, hydro-electrolytical troubles and infectious diseases.