American Board of Surgery Qualifying Exam (ABS QE) Practice Test

The condition characterized by chronic malnutrition with edema and a deficiency in protein is known as Kwashiorkor. This condition typically occurs in regions with limited access to protein-rich foods and is especially prevalent in children who are weaned from breast milk to diets high in carbohydrates but low in protein.

Kwashiorkor presents with several clinical features, including significant edema, irritability, and changes in skin pigmentation. The presence of edema distinguishes it from Marasmus, which is another form of malnutrition but primarily involves severe caloric deficiency without the prominent protein deficiency or edema seen in Kwashiorkor.

Cachexia refers to a complex syndrome involving weight loss, muscle wasting, and a significant decline in health that can occur with chronic diseases, but it does not specifically relate to protein deficiency or edema. Neoplasm generally relates to tumor formation and is not associated with malnutrition directly. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify why Kwashiorkor is the correct term for the condition described.