Pictures of starving children in Gaza went around the world. This is what malnutrition does in the first 1000 days of life

Last week, the United Nations Organization He warned over 14,000 children He would die because of malnutrition for 48 hours if Israel continued to block aid before entering Gaza.

After the figure widely ReportedThis timeline stayed with a UN spokesperson explanation The projection lasts another 11 months.

Between April 2025 and March 2026, will be 71,000 cases of severe malnutrition among children under five years ancient, including 14 100 severe cases.

Severe sharp malnutrition It means that the child is extremely gaunt and threatened with death.

It is estimated that 17,000 women in breastfeeding and pregnancy will also require treatment for acute malnutrition at that time.

Hunger and malnutrition are harmful to everyone. But for infants it can be deep and lasted.

What is malnutrition?

In infants and newborn children, malnutrition means that they have a height, weight and circumference of the head, which do not match standard charts, due to the lack of proper nutrition.

Nutritional deficiencies are particularly common among newborn children and pregnant women.

The human body needs 17 necessary minerals. Shortcomings in zinc, iron and iodine are the most perilous, Related to Higher risk of infant death or developing brain damage.

When malnutrition is edged to weighty, babies and newborn children losing weight Because they do not have enough food, and because they are more susceptible to illness and diarrhea.

It leads to wasting.

Kid experiencing waste He lost significant weight or does not gain weight, which causes a dangerously low weight ratio to height.

Lasting lack of proper food conducts Chronic malnutritionOr Kęczakwhere growth and development are handicapped.

Risk of infection and mortality

Malnate infants weakened the immune system. It makes them more susceptible to developing infectiondue to smaller organs and deficits In a lean mass. Lean mass is the weight of the body, excluding fat and is key to support well growth, strength and general development.

When the children are starving, they are much more likely die for common diseases such as diarrhea and pneumonia.

Infections can make it arduous absorb nutrientscreation A dangerous cycle and deteriorating malnutrition.

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Chronic malnutrition affects the brain

The human brain is developing exceptionally fast During the first 1000 days of life (from concept to the second century). There is proper nutrition during this time necessary.

Developing brains of children are more often affected by nutritional deficiencies than adults.

After extending, malnutrition can lead to structural changes in the brain, including a smaller brain and less Myel – a protective membrane that wraps nerve cells and helps send messages to the brain.

Chronic malnutrition can affect brain functions and processes, such as thinking, language, attention, memory and decision making.

These neurological effects can cause Life problems.

Can brain damage be lasting?

Yes, especially when malnutrition occurs during key periods of brain developmentsuch as the first 1000 days.

However, some effects are reversible. Early, intensive interventions-as access to food and drugs affluent in nutrients to treat hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and fight infections-help children to make up for children growth and brain growth.

For example, One review Research on malnourished preschool children was found their cognitive abilities – such as concentration, reasoning and emotional regulation – slightly improved when they received iron and multivitamin supplements.

However, malnutrition in a key window under two years increases the risk Life disability.

It should also be noted that recovery is more likely in an environment in which nutritious food is available and the emotional needs of children.

In Gaza, Israel’s military operations destroyed 94% of hospital infrastructure And humanitarian aid remains seriously circumscribed. The conditions necessary to recover children are out of reach.

Mothers in pregnancy and breastfeeding

Mother’s severe malnutrition It can raise the risk of death of mother and child or experience of complications during pregnancy.

When a breast -fed mother is malnourished, she will produce less milk and it will be lower quality. Iron, iodine and vitamins A, D and zinc deficiencies threaten the mother’s health and reduce the nutritional value of mother’s milk. Maybe take part in for needy growth and development of infants.

Hungry mothers It can experience fatigue, bad health and mental stress, which makes it arduous to maintain breastfeeding.

Other effects of organs

Data from people born during Dutch hunger from 1944–45 They helped us understand the impact on health for life on invented and born children while their mothers were starving.

Among that groupMalnutrition affected the development and functioning of many organs for children, including hearts, lungs and kidneys.

This group also had a higher indicator of schizophrenia, depression and anxiety as well as lower performance in Cognitive tests.

They He also had a higher risk developing chronic degenerative diseases (such as cardiovascular diseases and kidney failure) and prematurely dying.

Is damage irreversible?

Recovery is possible. But it depends on how severely malnourished the child is and when and what support he receives.

The evidence indicates Children remain sensitive and have a greater risk of death, even after the treatment of complications due to severe acute malnutrition.

Effective interventions switch on:

• Nutritional rehabilitation (giving a child food affluent in nutrients, specialized feeding and dealing with deficiencies)

• Breastfeeding support for mothers

• Ensuring rehabilitation and health care in the community (so that families and children can return to everyday routine).

It seems arduous, if not impossible in gas, where Israel’s blockade about aid and ongoing military operations Medium safety and infrastructure are seriously threatened.

Repeated or extended episodes of malnutrition increase the risk lasting developmental damage.