Childhood malnutrition has been with us since the early days of humanity. Its epidemiology, determinants and aetiology, nomenclature, pathophysiology, case management and ultimately prognosis has kept many –practitioners, scientists and policymakers- lifelong intrigued and involved. In the
following (incomplete) overview we use kwashiorkor as the icon for life threatening childhood malnutrition and discuss its history in Africa and the relevant achievements in its case management today.