Kenya Faces Child Malnutrition Surge

Malnutrition in children poses serious risks, including stunted growth, weakened immunity, cognitive impairments, and increased susceptibility to illness.

According to Kenya's National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), approximately 479,498 children under five in 23 arid regions are suffering from acute malnutrition and require treatment. ()

Although malnutrition cases remain high, the number represents a decline from 760,488 in July, according to NDMA's September update released in Nairobi, Kenya's capital.

Marasmus / Protein-Energy Malnutrition
Marasmus is a severe potentially life-threatening form of malnutrition caused by a diet deficient in calories and proteins. There is significant wasting of fats, muscles, and tissues of the body leading to a "skin and bones" appearance.

‘Nearly half a million Kenyan children face acute #malnutrition. #Kenya’

NDMA Attributes Reduction in Cases to Prioritized Milk

"The reduction in cases is attributed to availability of milk albeit in low quantities prioritized for consumption by the under-fives, and consumption of diverse diets due to the slightly elevated purchasing power by households," the NDMA said.

The authority said that 110,169 pregnant and breastfeeding mothers are malnourished and in need of care, down from 112,401 in July. The malnutrition cases stemmed from adverse climate events, low incomes and poor healthcare-seeking behaviour, Xinhua news agency reported.

NDMA also noted that 1 million Kenyans still require humanitarian assistance, a figure that has remained unchanged since July.

Kwashiorkor (Protein Malnutrition)
Kwashiorkor is caused by severe protein malnutrition and is characterized by collection of fluid (edema) in the legs and belly. Kwashiorkor can be prevented by consuming a nutritious diet.

According to the World Health Organisation, as of the end of June, about 10.8 million children and nearly 1 million pregnant and lactating women were acutely malnourished and in need of treatment in the Horn of Africa.

The UN health agency said the crisis was caused by increased conflict and climate disasters, including drought and recent El Nino rains that caused severe flooding, displacing thousands more.

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Reference:

Nutrition | UNICEF Kenya - (https://www.unicef.org/kenya/nutrition)

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