Yousef, 15 months old, arrived at the paediatric clinic at the Al Karama primary healthcare centre with fever, diarrhoea, pallor and obvious swelling. He was diagnosed as suffering from bilateral oedema due to acute malnutrition and was immediately referred to the nutrition department.
On his first visit to the clinic, he weighed 8 kg and measured 70 cm, with an average brachial circumference of 133 mm. He received full nutritional and medical treatment, as well as education for his mother on the basics of appropriate complementary feeding.
After 52 days and 4 consecutive visits to the clinic, Yousef’s health had improved considerably: he weighed 8.6 kg, measured 73 cm and had an average brachial circumference of 145 mm.
“The tumour has regressed”.
His mother says: “The tumour has regressed, he has regained his normal activity, his appetite has improved and he is eating better“.
The centre’s nutrition technician explains: “One of the main causes of Yousef’s condition was the introduction of inappropriate foods at an early age, such as starchy foods that cause oedema and malnutrition. She added:“The first few months of a child’s life form the basis of their physical and mentaldevelopment . It is therefore essential to focus on exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, then gradually introduce solid foods while continuing to breastfeed.”
Good nutrition for children is not a luxury, but a necessity to ensure healthy growth and a life free from disease-related complications.
