A child with oedema of both feet may have kwashiorkor. To determine the presence of oedema, press gently with your thumb on the topside of each foot for at least three seconds (or a count of 101; 102; 103); the child has pitting oedema if a dent remains following the pressing. Look at the image below which shows you how a child’s feet look when the dent remains.

Checking for bilateral pitting oedema. (Photo: National OTP Training Guide, Ethiopia)
Last modified: Friday, 23 May 2014, 3:26 PM