Climatic conditions and kwashiorkor in Mumias: a retrospective analysis over a 5-year period

Hospital records from a rural hospital in Kenya were retrospectively analysed for the total monthly admissions for kwashiorkor and all other forms of malnutrition over a 5-year period. These figures were related to the climatic conditions that prevailed during the year as derived from the records of a meteorological station in the area. The peak prevalence for kwashiorkor coincided each year with the season during which relative humidity was highest. The prevalence of kwashiorkor is discussed in relation to variable aflatoxin formation, which is influenced by seasonal changes in weather conditions.