Over 50,000 children under five suffering acute malnutrition in Gaza
Over 50,000 children under five suffering acute malnutrition in Gaza
A study conducted by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (Unrwa) shows that 54,600 children in Gaza are either acutely or severely malnourished, The Lancet reported on Wednesday.
Acute malnutrition (or wasting) is a life-threatening condition and is defined as a child being too thin for their height, indicating rapid weight loss and a severe lack of energy, protein and other nutrients.
It can also be assessed by measuring the circumference of a child’s upper arm with a calibrated tape, as was done in the Unrwa study.
Children suffering from wasting require regular treatment with therapeutic food over several weeks, or in extreme cases and when possible, hospitalisation. In Gaza, few therapeutic options are available to impacted children.
