Child malnutrition
Child malnutrition means a child is not getting enough of the right food to grow and stay healthy. It is very common in Afghanistan and shows as wasting (very thin), stunting (short for age) or swelling of both feet. Malnourished children catch infections more easily and are much more likely to die from diarrhoea, pneumonia or measles. Severe acute malnutrition is a medical emergency, but it can be treated with special therapeutic foods.
Symptoms
- Very thin arms, legs and face; ribs easy to see
- Swelling of both feet (when pressed with a thumb, a dent stays)
- Not growing or gaining weight; shorter than other children of the same age
- Tiredness, less playing, irritability or poor appetite
- Thin, pale or light-coloured hair and dry, peeling skin
- Frequent infections and diarrhoea
Causes
- Not enough food, or food without enough protein, vitamins and minerals
- Not giving only breast milk for the first 6 months, or starting other foods too early or too late
- Repeated diarrhoea, worms, measles and other infections
- Unsafe water and poor hygiene
- Poverty, food shortages and displacement
- A mother who was malnourished in pregnancy, or low birth weight
Prevention
- Only breast milk for the first 6 months, then continue breastfeeding to 2 years
- From 6 months, add soft foods several times a day: mashed vegetables, lentils, eggs, meat, yoghurt and fruit
- Vaccinate the child on time, especially against measles
- Vitamin A and deworming medicine as offered at health centres
- Clean boiled water, handwashing with soap, and ORS with zinc for diarrhoea
- Regular weight and arm (MUAC) checks at the health centre
Treatment
- Assessment at a health centre: weight, height, arm measurement (MUAC) and checking for swelling
- Severe malnutrition without complications: ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) at home with weekly check-ups
- Severe malnutrition with complications (not eating, swelling, infection): treatment in hospital
- Treatment of infections, vitamin A and deworming as decided by the health worker
- Continued breastfeeding and family food after recovery
- Do not give strong medicines or herbal remedies without a health worker
Common questions
My child eats every day — why is my child still thin?
Children need enough meals a day (from age 1: 3 meals and 1 to 2 snacks) and foods with protein and vitamins, not just bread or tea. Worms and repeated diarrhoea also stop growth. Ask the health centre to weigh and measure your child.
What is RUTF?
Ready-to-use therapeutic food is a special high-energy paste given free at many health centres to treat severe malnutrition. Give only the amount the health worker tells you, keep breastfeeding, and give clean water with it.