Hunger threatens the growth of Gaza's children... Dr. Al-Najjar: Early intervention may prevent permanent stunting
A report from Khan Younis documents the increasing cases of stunting among Gaza's children due to chronic malnutrition, amid a shortage of food, supplements, and medicine. Dr. Israa Al-Najjar, head of the therapeutic nutrition department at Nasser Medical Complex, warns that continued malnutrition without early intervention may lead to permanent stunting, and notes that about 20 cases are recorded monthly in a single clinic.
A report from Khan Younis documents the increasing cases of stunting among children in the Gaza Strip due to chronic malnutrition, amid a severe shortage of food, supplements, and medicine. Dr. Israa Al-Najjar, head of the therapeutic nutrition department at Nasser Medical Complex, says the department began documenting stunting cases about four months ago, after noticing a rise in the number of children suffering from growth disorders. She notes that about 20 cases are recorded monthly in a single clinic, and on some days the number reached 6 or 7 cases, with one day recording 11 children suffering from malnutrition-related stunting. Al-Najjar warns that continued chronic malnutrition during childhood years, without early intervention, may lead to effects that are difficult to correct later, especially before puberty and the closure of bone growth plates. She explains that the impact of malnutrition became more evident during the famine implemented by the occupation in the Strip during the genocide war, due to a lack of food and protein. Doctors have also observed the impact of maternal malnutrition during pregnancy on newborns, as they gave birth to children with lower than normal birth weights. Treatment efforts face challenges including a shortage of medicine and supplements due to the ongoing Israeli siege, and the inability of most families to purchase necessary food. Al-Najjar warns that the continuation of these conditions may lead to an entire generation suffering from growth indicators below normal rates.