Clinical case:

8-month-old female infant who attended the Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, presenting a scaling dermatosis of 1 month’s evolution that was treated with topical ketoconazole. The mother reported exclusive feeding with corn gruel due to the diagnosis of “lactose allergy” and commented not enough resources to buy hydrolyzed formula.

The patient presented a disseminated dermatosis to all body segments, characterized by well-defined, irregularly shaped, hyperpigmented plaques with scaling in thick sheets in the perioral region and extremities, as well as areas of eroded skin and paleness and edema of extremities. Laboratory tests were taken, where anemia (Hb 11.2 g/dl) and hipoalbuminemia (3.3 g/dl) were documented, the diagnosis of kwashiorkor syndrome was integrated.

The clinical and laboratory findings were reported to the Gastroenterology and Nutrition service, who performed a nutritional assessment, and began nutritional treatment, emollients and general skin care were documented; twenty days later, the dermatosis and edema had subsided.