Rescue a Malnourished Child in Guatemala

Brian* was admitted to Casa Jackson on September 6, 2023 at 6 months old, weighing just 3.06kg and 52cm tall. He was diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition, type marasmus, as well as being diagnosed with bacterial bronchopneumonia and Down syndrome. Brian could not hold his head and his movements were infrequent, he had no strength in his body.

He is the youngest child in a family of 12 children living with their parents in a neighbourhood in Sipacate, Escuintla. He was not breastfed because he had hypotonia of the tongue, meaning that the muscle is too stiff to allow normal movement, so his mother fed him corn drinks and formula. The staff at his local health centre referred him to Casa Jackson because he was in poor condition at home and his life was in danger. His mother was not able to leave her other 11 children and so Brian was left in the care of the nursing staff.

Once Brian had entered Casa Jackson we took him to see different doctors and medical experts. The results of these appointments indicated that Brian had hypothyroidism and a congenital heart disease. Fortunately, the condition of the heart did not affect its function to pump blood, so only treatment was started to improve thyroid functions.

Meanwhile, we continued to provide him with the necessary care for his speedy recovery, being without his mother, the staff and volunteers had a lot of affection for him and they all supported each other to give him food, formula, change him, bathe him and play with him. Every day he smiled more and his movements began to be more constant. He went to physiotherapy every week and the strength of his neck and spine was improving.

On February 5, 2024, Brian was delivered to his mother with a weight of 5.95kg and height of 62.5cm and normal nutritional diagnosis. He now has the ability to hold his head but it is important that he continue with physiotherapy and treatment for hypothyroidism. A copy of the case was given to the staff of the local health centre so that they could watch over him at home.

On the 15th of February we decided to follow up with Brian and visited his family in Sipacate. We travelled over 2 hours to the house with Fabiola, Robbie, Rodolfo, Nora and Esther, a volunteer paediatrician from Spain to visit Brian and his family, as well as some other former Casa Jackson baby-patients. When we visited, Brian was suffering from a fever and had done for a few days. We took him to the local health centre, had some laboratory checks done and paid for medicine. When we took him back to his house his fever had reduced. We also gave the family a donation of food and an Ecofiltro water filter. This way we could ensure that the family had clean, safe drinking water and much reduced danger of parasites and bacteria.

We have not finished following up with Brian and his family. We are planning to support the family with beds and stoves in the future, as well as a potential house build. The GOD’S CHILD Project has been working for over 30 years to break the chains of poverty through education, housing, nutrition and healthcare. Please click the link below to donate to support us in our ongoing mission.