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Correspondence to Author: Pascal Sengbé Koïvogui¹ , Natia Joseph Kouadio² , Mamadou Oury Diallo¹ , Lanan Wassy Soromou¹ , Abdoulaye Oury Barry¹ and Eric Ghigo^1*. 

¹ Training and Research Unit BioHafia, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Labé, BP 210, Labé, Republic of Guinea.
² Laboratory of Biotechnology Agriculture and Valorization of Biological Resources, UFR Biosciences, Felix HOUPHOUËT-BOIGNY University, 22 BP 582 Abidjan 22, Côte d’Ivoire

DOI: 10.52338/aitm.2025.5145

Abstract:

Malnutrition among children is a devastating humanitarian disaster, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. In this region, almost half of all children never reach their fifth birthday, falling silent victims to this scourge. For example, in Guinea, a third of young people suffer irreversible developmental delays, while 9% are extremely underweight. Diseases such as marasmus and kwashiorkor, known since the nineteenth century, continue to cause damage. Worldwide, 144 million children have their development threatened, and 47 million are severely undernourished. This paradox is particularly striking given that at the same time, 38 million other children are overweight or obese. The reasons for malnutrition are numerous and interrelated (food shortages, frequent infections, poor eating habits and poverty). The consequences of malnutrition are catastrophic, as it leads to increased infant mortality, cognitive problems and lasting physical sequelae. Malnutrition is identified and characterised by measuring parameters such as weight, height, clinical examinations and biological analyses. Children who suffer from malnutrition are at increased risk of falling ill (diarrhoea, pneumonia, malaria), which in turn increases the risk of mortality. Malnutrition can be treated through the use of readyto-use therapeutic foods. Despite slow progress, the fight against child malnutrition remains a global priority. It requires a coordinated and comprehensive approach to improve the health and well-being of all children.

Keywords: child malnutrition, kwashiorkor, food supplement, Africa, Republic of Guinea.

Citation:

Dr. Eric Ghigo, Child Malnutrition In Africa: Prevalence, Clinical Forms, Aetiology And Epidemiology. Advances in Tropical Medicine 2025.