... illnesses such as trauma and sepsis, and chronic illnesses that involve acute-phase inflammatory responses. The physiologic stress produced by these illnesses increases protein and energy requirements ... is blocked by the stressed state and by carbohydrate infusion. In its early stages, the physical findings of kwashiorkor are few and subtle. Fat reserves and muscle mass are initially unaffected, ... hair pluckability, edema, skin breakdown, and poor wound healing. The major sine qua non is severe reduction of levels of serum proteins such as albumin (<2.8 g/dL) and transferrin (<150...