Dietary factors in malnutrition: quality and quantity of diet in relation to child development.

Introduction: food as a factor in malnutrition s y n d 7 m s Until some 45 years ago the origin was obscure of the childhood syndrome typically including oedema, 'flaky paint' skin rashes, dyspigmented hair and hepatomegaly. Suggested causes at that time included renal failure and multivitamin deficiency. Williams (1933) not only c d e d the syndrome kwashiorkor, the local Ghananian name for it, but established that it was cured by milk and not by vitamins. Thus a nutritional cause for kwashiorkor was claimed