Spotting severe malnutrition in children: essential tips for parents

HIDDEN HUNGER

- VUYILE MADWANTSI

TWENTY-three perecent of South African children under five are at risk of life-threatening malnutrition and related health complications.

(Pexels)

WHEN a child’s ribs start showing or their energy suddenly drops, it’s easy to dismiss it as “just a phase”.

But in South Africa, health officials are warning that these could be early signs of severe acute malnutrition (SAM), a life-threatening condition that’s quietly affecting thousands of children every year.

The Gauteng Department of Health recorded more than 1 000 cases of SAM in the past financial year, with the highest numbers in Tshwane, Johannesburg, and Ekurhuleni.

“Even though malnutrition can be treated, many cases are only identified when children are already in severe distress,” spokesperson Motalatale Modiba told local media.

By the time a child is hospitalised, complications like hypoglycaemia, hypothermia, and sepsis may have set in. That’s why the department is urging parents and caregivers to report suspected cases immediately. Early detection and treatment dramatically reduce the risk of death and long-term damage.

According to Unicef’s Child Food Poverty: Nutrition Deprivation in Early Childhood (2023), South Africa is one of 20 countries that together account for 65% of children living in severe food poverty worldwide.