Not Medical Advice: No, it is not contagious. Kwashiorkor is a form of malnutrition that occurs when there is not enough protein in the diet.
Kwashiorkor is most common in areas where there is:
Famine
Limited food supply
Low levels of education (when people do not understand how to eat a proper diet)
This disease is more common in very poor countries. It often occurs during a drought or other natural disaster, or during political unrest. These conditions are responsible for a lack of food, which leads to malnutrition.
Symptoms of kwashiorkor:
Changes in skin pigment
Decreased muscle mass
Diarrhea
Failure to gain weight and grow
Fatigue
Hair changes (change in color or texture)
Increased and more severe infections due to damaged immune system
Irritability
Large belly that sticks out (protrudes)
Lethargy or apathy
Loss of muscle mass
Rash (dermatitis)
Shock (late stage)
Swelling (edema)
To learn more about kwashiorkor, visit MedlinePlus.
Find out how to prevent and detect malnutrition from Mayo Clinic.