Images of Gaza’s starving babies have gone round the world. This is what malnutrition does in the first 1,000 days of life

Nina Sivertsen; Annette Briley; Tahlia Johnson

Images of Gaza’s starving babies have gone round the world. This is what malnutrition does in the first 1,000 days of life

Nina Sivertsen, Annette Briley, Tahlia Johnson

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Abstract

Last week, the United Nations warned more than 14,000 babies would die of malnutrition in 48 hours if Israel continued to block aid from entering Gaza.

After the figure was widely reported, that timeline has been walked back, with a UN spokesperson clarifying the projection is for the next 11 months.

Between April 2025 and March 2026, there will be 71,000 cases of acute malnutrition among children under five, including 14,100 severe cases.

Severe acute malnutrition means a child is extremely thin and at risk of dying.

An estimated 17,000 breastfeeding and pregnant women will also require treatment for acute malnutrition during this time.

Starvation and malnutrition are harmful for anyone. But for infants the impact can be profound and lasting.

Original language	English
Specialist publication	The Conversation
Publication status	Published - 26 May 2025

Keywords

Gaza
malnutrition
infants
aid
Israeli blockade

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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https://theconversation.com/images-of-gazas-starving-babies-have-gone-round-the-world-this-is-what-malnutrition-does-in-the-first-1-000-days-of-life-257462Licence: CC BY

Cite this

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Images of Gaza’s starving babies have gone round the world. This is what malnutrition does in the first 1,000 days of life

Abstract

Keywords

UN SDGs

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