Question:
A 2-year-old child weighing 6.7 kg has Hb 6 g/dl, total protein 3 g/dl, low albumin, and a distended abdomen but no proteinuria. What is the diagnosis?
A 2-year-old child weighing 6.7 kg has Hb 6 g/dl, total protein 3 g/dl, low albumin, and a distended abdomen but no proteinuria. What is the diagnosis?
Show Hint
Low albumin plus a swollen belly but no urine protein in a toddler, edematous malnutrition.
Updated On: Jun 23, 2026
- Marasmus
- Kwashiorkor
- Indian childhood cirrhosis
- None
Show Solution
Verified By Collegedunia
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: The key features are very low total protein and albumin (hypoalbuminaemia) with a distended abdomen (oedema/ascites) and NO proteinuria, in a young child with anaemia.
Step 2: Low albumin without protein loss in the urine points to inadequate protein intake rather than nephrotic syndrome. The combination of hypoalbuminaemia plus oedema (distended belly) in a toddler is the classic picture of kwashiorkor, a form of severe acute malnutrition.
Step 3: Kwashiorkor features oedema, hypoalbuminaemia, a fatty enlarged liver (adding to the distension), skin and hair changes, and apathy, distinguishing it from marasmus.
Why not the others: Marasmus shows severe wasting WITHOUT oedema and usually with relatively preserved albumin. Indian childhood cirrhosis causes hepatomegaly and liver failure but not this hypoalbuminaemic oedematous-malnutrition picture. Absence of proteinuria rules out a renal (nephrotic) cause.
Ref: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, 20th edition, Pg 301.
Step 2: Low albumin without protein loss in the urine points to inadequate protein intake rather than nephrotic syndrome. The combination of hypoalbuminaemia plus oedema (distended belly) in a toddler is the classic picture of kwashiorkor, a form of severe acute malnutrition.
Step 3: Kwashiorkor features oedema, hypoalbuminaemia, a fatty enlarged liver (adding to the distension), skin and hair changes, and apathy, distinguishing it from marasmus.
Why not the others: Marasmus shows severe wasting WITHOUT oedema and usually with relatively preserved albumin. Indian childhood cirrhosis causes hepatomegaly and liver failure but not this hypoalbuminaemic oedematous-malnutrition picture. Absence of proteinuria rules out a renal (nephrotic) cause.
Ref: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, 20th edition, Pg 301.
Was this answer helpful?
0
0
Top NEET PG Pediatrics Questions
- A newborn presented with chest retractions, dyspnea, and lethargy. The pediatrician diagnosed the baby with respiratory distress syndrome. This occurs due to the deficiency of:
- A 10-year-old child weighing 30 kg presents with a history of loose stools for 2 days. On examination, there is severe dehydration. Laboratory investigations are as follows. What is the initial management as per ISPAD guidelines?
RBS 550mg/dL pH 7.01 Na+ 158mEq/L Urine glucose 3+
- Which of the following is the best sign to indicate adequate growth in an infant with a birth weight of 2.8 kg?
- A 3-month-old baby complains of deafness, cataract, and patent ductus arteriosus. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
Chloride level in sweat is used in the diagnosis of which disease?
View More Questions
Top NEET PG Protein energy malnutrition Questions
- Severe acute malnutrition as per WHO criteria is defined as:
- Passage: A one and a half year old girl, fed mostly on dilute cow's milk, develops diarrhea that persists for 10 days. This is followed by swelling on her feet.
The likely diagnosis is - Passage: A one and a half year old girl, fed mostly on dilute cow's milk, develops diarrhea that persists for 10 days. This is followed by swelling on her feet, and the likely diagnosis is Kwashiorkor.
One life-threatening complication of this condition is - A one and a half year old girl child, fed mostly on dilute cow's milk, develops diarrhea that continues for 10 days. She then develops swelling of both feet, and the picture is diagnosed as kwashiorkor. The most important aspect of her management is
Top NEET PG Questions
- A patient hailing from Delhi presents with fever, arthralgia, and extensive petechial rash for 3 days. Lab investigations revealed a hemoglobin of 9 g/ dL, a white blood cell count of 9000 cells/mm3, a platelet count of 20000 cells/mm3, and a prolonged bleeding time. The clotting time was normal. What is the most likely diagnosis?
- Which of the following statements is true about Trichomonas vaginalis?
- A lady from West Rajasthan presented with an ulcer surrounded by erythema on the right leg. Microscopy of the biopsy from the edge of the ulcer showed organisms with dark staining nuclei and kinetoplast. What is the most likely causative agent?
- A child presents with a fever and a rash. Urine examination showed cells with owl's eye appearance. What is the most likely diagnosis?
- Infection with Clonorchis sinensis is associated with an increased risk of__?
View More Questions