Cases of dwarfisms among children decreases by 32 percent in 50 years

KATHMANDU, Jan 13: The government started a campaign to eliminate rickets and dwarfism in children decades ago. However, the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey 2022 has pointed out that 25 percent of all children under the age of five in the mountainous region still face issues related to dwarfism.

The survey shows that 22 percent of children in urban areas, 31 percent in rural areas, 22 percent in hilly regions, and 42 percent in mountainous areas experience dwarfism in Nepal. 

According to statistics, eight percent of children under the age of five face dwarf problems. Similarly, 19 percent of children in this age fall under the category of being underweight. 

According to the latest statistics, it is seen that the cases of dwarfism among children are decreasing. In 1996, the incidence of dwarfism among children in Nepal was 57 percent, and this number has decreased by 32 percent in a period of 50 years. During this period the problem of dwarfism should have been minimized.

In 2016, there was a decrease of 11 percent in dwarfism in Nepal. Nepal has committed to reduce the index of dwarf problems within the sustainable development goal of 2030.

 
• Nepal_Demographic_and_Health_Survey_2022
 
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