Neftali often suffers from malnutrition. He is far below the average weight for his age and height for his age. His immune system is weak and his diet consists primarily of tortillas and starchy vegetables. His mother already knew his child was stunted but never has received treatment or consult on how to improve Neftali’s health. Without intervention Neftali’s immune system will continue to weaken, and his growth physically and mentally will be stunted. Mental delays in development will become apparent and this will limit his ability to succeed academically and will lower his economic productivity - malnutrition is strongly associated with decreased academic performance and low economic productivity. If he continues to get sick often, his mother will have to continue to stay home to care for Neftali, rather than attend market to sell blouses. Neftali’s family cannot afford to buy fruits, vegetables, or sources of protein (eggs) regularly.
Neftali lives with his parents and 3 siblings (ages 6, 4, 3 years old) in an adobe mud house with a metal lamina roof and dirt floor. His mother sells blouses at market, and his father is a corn farmer. He is a very attentive little girl, taking notice of everything that goes on around her. He loves to play with anyone he meets and his favorite foods are rice and eggs, although his mother says that she currently cannot afford 1 egg per day for her son.
This treatment will provide Neftali with micronutrient and food supplementation as well as medication to prevent gastrointestinal infection. She will start to recoup the height and weight he has lost and her immune system will improve. She will have more energy to concentrate and succeed in school and her physical and mental development will improve. Her mother will receive the education she needs to supply the best nutrition possible to her child. She will feel confident in her abilities, and perhaps will be able to apply what she learns to the health of her next child, thus preventing malnutrition all together.