Explain Poor growth - clinical signs of kwashiorkor?

Growth retardation is the earliest manifestation of kwashiorkor, the child will be lighter and shorter than its normal peers of same age. The children with kwashiorkor weigh about 80% or less of their normal peers. This is usually verified by comparing the body weight of the child with that of normal children of same age group. Sometimes, in cases of gross swelling, the body weight may be relatively higher. The child will also be wasted (thinner), which sometimes could be masked in the presence of extensive swelling of the body. The child's arms and legs will appear thin as a result of wasting.