GUATEMALA CITY, June 6 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA) — Eight children under five have died so far in 2023 in Guatemala of acute malnutrition, a situation showing a sharp increase compared to 2022.
The northern department of Alta Verapaz reported six deaths and two in Guatemala City, as detailed by the Health Ministry, while assuring that 45 alleged malnutrition deaths are presently being investigated.
The clinical sign of chronic disease is minors are small in size compared to their age, while acute disease can be evaluated through weight and height.
Accordingly, the health ministry advised parents to take their children to the nearest health service for growth monitoring and to provide them with the necessary treatment.
Guatemala has reported 68 children who died of acute malnutrition in 2022, out of a total of 20,806 suffering from that condition.
Nearly 60% of Guatemalan people live below the poverty line and over 20% are trying to survive in abject poverty, according to official data. — NNN-PRENSA LATINA
