Nutritional Crisis in Haiti
Childhood Malnutrition in Haiti
Laura McConeghy
Nursing in Health and Illness 332
Eldon Walker, MS, RN
Fall 2012
Childhood Malnutrition in Haiti Most of the 10 million deaths among children worldwide age 5 years and younger are preventable. Childhood malnutrition is the underlying factor of 3.5 million deaths or 35% of the disease burden in children less than 5 years old. Children in Haiti are born into some of the harshest conditions on the planet, and are “left at a disadvantage in terms of growth, development, and potential to thrive” (Bassett & Ruel-Bergeron, 2010, p. 3). Malnutrition rates in Haiti are amongst the highest in the region, 23% of children have chronic malnutrition, 9% have acute nutrition (Chatterjee, 2008, p. 617), one-third of children under five suffer from stunted growth, and three-quarters of children 6-24 months are anemic (Bassett & Ruel-Bergeron, 2010, p. 3). Malnutrition can take a detrimental and irreversible toll on children, making them “more susceptible to disease and death and compromising their cognitive and physical development” (Bassett & Ruel-Bergeron, 2010, p. 3). Undernourished children have lower resistance to infection and are more likely to die of common childhood illnesses such as diarrhea and lower respiratory tract infections (Parikh et al., 2010, p. 559).
Pathophysiology
Malnutrition is defined as “a deficit, excess, or imbalance of the essential components of a balanced diet” (Lewis, Dirksen, Heitkemper, Burcher, Camera, 2011, p. 923) and can refer to alterations in macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats) or micronutrients (electrolytes, mineral, and vitamins). According to Dr. Robert Black et al. (2008, p. 243), “Undernutrtion encompasses stunting, wasting, and deficiencies of essential vitamins and minerals as one form of the condition known as malnutrition”. Undernutrtion describes a state of “poor nourishment as a result of inadequate diet or diseases that interfere
Laura McConeghy
Nursing in Health and Illness 332
Eldon Walker, MS, RN
Fall 2012
Childhood Malnutrition in Haiti Most of the 10 million deaths among children worldwide age 5 years and younger are preventable. Childhood malnutrition is the underlying factor of 3.5 million deaths or 35% of the disease burden in children less than 5 years old. Children in Haiti are born into some of the harshest conditions on the planet, and are “left at a disadvantage in terms of growth, development, and potential to thrive” (Bassett & Ruel-Bergeron, 2010, p. 3). Malnutrition rates in Haiti are amongst the highest in the region, 23% of children have chronic malnutrition, 9% have acute nutrition (Chatterjee, 2008, p. 617), one-third of children under five suffer from stunted growth, and three-quarters of children 6-24 months are anemic (Bassett & Ruel-Bergeron, 2010, p. 3). Malnutrition can take a detrimental and irreversible toll on children, making them “more susceptible to disease and death and compromising their cognitive and physical development” (Bassett & Ruel-Bergeron, 2010, p. 3). Undernourished children have lower resistance to infection and are more likely to die of common childhood illnesses such as diarrhea and lower respiratory tract infections (Parikh et al., 2010, p. 559).
Pathophysiology
Malnutrition is defined as “a deficit, excess, or imbalance of the essential components of a balanced diet” (Lewis, Dirksen, Heitkemper, Burcher, Camera, 2011, p. 923) and can refer to alterations in macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats) or micronutrients (electrolytes, mineral, and vitamins). According to Dr. Robert Black et al. (2008, p. 243), “Undernutrtion encompasses stunting, wasting, and deficiencies of essential vitamins and minerals as one form of the condition known as malnutrition”. Undernutrtion describes a state of “poor nourishment as a result of inadequate diet or diseases that interfere
References: Black, R., Allen, L., Bhutta, Z., Caulfield, L., de Onis, M., Ezzati, M., & ... Rivera, J. (2008). Maternal and child undernutrition: global and regional exposures and health consequences. Lancet, 371(9608), 243-260. Chatterjee, P International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. (2010). Promoting nutrition security in Haiti: An assessment of pre- and post-earthquake conditions and recommendations for Lewis, S., Dirksen, S., Heitkemper, M., Burcher, L., Camera, I. (2011). Medical-surgical nursing: Assessment and management of clinical problems Parikh, K., Marein-Efron, G., Huang, S., O 'Hare, G., Finalle, R., & Shah, S. S. (2010). Nutritional status of children after a food-supplementation program integrated with