Gaza Toddler Recovers from Malnutrition and Metabolic Disorder in Italian Hospital

Toddler's Critical Condition Upon Arrival

• 💔 Sham Qudeih, a toddler from Gaza, arrived in Italy severely emaciated, weighing around 4 kg, and was constantly tired and barely moving.
• 🏥 Her condition was critical, exacerbated by a lack of food and a suspected rare genetic condition that doctors in Gaza could not test for.

Diagnosis and Treatment in Italy

• 🩺 Doctors in Naples, Italy, confirmed Sham suffers from a metabolic disorder that interferes with nutrient absorption.
• ✨ Treatment involves improving her condition with specialized food, nutrients, and vitamins.
• 📈 Sham has since celebrated her second birthday and is gaining weight, showing positive progress.

Wider Context of Malnutrition in Gaza

• 🌍 Sham is one of 181 Palestinian children receiving medical treatment in Italy.
• ⚠️ According to the UN, nearly 12,000 children under five in Gaza were suffering from acute malnutrition in July, a figure likely underestimated by the WHO.
• 🕊️ Her medical evacuation was requested by the WHO and approved by Israel as part of the European civil protection mechanism.