The dangers of malnutrition in children

In recent years, most of the cases of malnutrition among children in my country occur in mountainous areas or areas with relatively poor economic conditions. There are also some urban people whose improper breastfeeding methods and bad ideas will cause malnutrition in infants and young children. Nowadays, many brands of milk powder are about to replace breast milk. There are also many young parents who do not breastfeed but buy milk powder to feed their infants. It is believed that milk powder is more nutritious for children. The milk powder incidents that have occurred in recent years have also sounded a wake-up call to parents.

But when it comes to malnutrition in children, parents may buy all kinds of health products for their children, especially for nourishing them. In fact, children not only need nutrition in diet, but also spiritual nutrition and care from their parents. So let us understand what are the dangers of malnutrition in children?

1) In the early stages of malnutrition, height is not affected, but as the condition worsens, bone growth slows down and height becomes lower than normal. In mild malnutrition, the mental state is normal, but in severe malnutrition, there may be mental depression, poor reaction, low body temperature, weak pulse, loss of appetite, and alternating diarrhea and constipation. When combined with a significant decrease in plasma albumin, there may be pitting edema and shiny skin. In severe cases, the ulcer may rupture and become infected to form a chronic ulcer. Severe malnutrition may cause damage to the functions of important organs. For example, decreased heart function may result in dull heart sounds, low blood pressure, slow pulse, shallow breathing, etc.

2) Since malnourished children have low immune function, they are prone to various infections, such as recurrent respiratory tract infections, thrush, pneumonia, tuberculosis, otitis media, urinary tract infections, etc.; infant diarrhea often persists and aggravates malnutrition, forming a vicious cycle. Malnutrition may be complicated by spontaneous hypoglycemia. The child may suddenly show symptoms of pale complexion, confusion, slow pulse, respiratory arrest, no fever but no convulsions. If not diagnosed and treated in time, it may be fatal.

The above mentioned are the harmful effects of malnutrition in children. So as parents, we should not only have correct concepts about nutritional values, but also raise our children according to scientific methods. It is best to feed infants and young children with breast milk. Breastfeeding can provide close physical contact with infants and young children, giving them a sense of mental security.