Final answer:
Sarah suffers from kwashiorkor, indicated by swelling or edema due to low levels of albumin, a condition associated with protein malnutrition. Unlike marasmus, which lacks edema and is a result of calorie deficiency, kwashiorkor is due to insufficient protein intake.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sarah, an 8-year-old girl, suffers from a condition where there is swelling of the abdomen, hands, and feet due to low levels of albumin leading to fluid accumulation in her tissues. This condition is known as kwashiorkor, which is a severe syndrome of undernutrition caused by a lack of protein. The defining signs of kwashiorkor, including the evident edema in various parts of the body such as the ankles, feet, and abdomen, are indicative of protein malnutrition, particularly the decline in albumin. This results in fluid leaking from blood capillaries and accumulating in the tissues, presenting as swelling. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is b. edema.
Kwashiorkor often arises from inadequate dietary intake of protein, even if overall calorie consumption might seem sufficient. This deficiency in protein leads to a decreased colloid osmotic pressure within the blood vessels, which allows fluid to escape into the interstitial spaces, causing the visible edema.
As opposed to marasmus, which is also a form of severe undernutrition but without the presence of edema and predominantly involves calorie deficiency, kwashiorkor is characterized by protein deficiency along with sufficient or excessive calorie intake. Children with kwashiorkor usually present with a swollen abdomen and limbs, thin and weak muscles, pale and peeling skin, as well as hair loss or discoloration.