Child stunting

Diarrhoea causes severe dehydration, malnutrition and ultimately death. Malnutrition can induce “child stunting”, a debilitating condition that affects 36% of African children (Checkley et. Al, 2008). (for perspective in the United Kingdom the condition affects 2.1% of children. (WorldBank, 2015)) The cumulative occurrence of diarrhoea (particularly before 24months of age) has a positive correlation with incidences of child stunting as nutritional losses are not counter balanced in later life. The implication this has amongst the poor is again more severe than other socio-economic groups as they are less able to access appropriate nutrients to replenish loses. Such information can be used to aid the development of the necessary disease control programmes.