Why are children in Gaza born with birth defects

Hospitals in Gaza are recording an alarming rise in the number of newborns suffering from birth defects, premature births, and severe underweight, despite the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that came into effect at the beginning of October. This surge is attributed to the continued restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid and Israel’s failure to fully adhere to the signed humanitarian protocol.

This increase comes nearly two years after the war, which inflicted widespread damage on the health system and directly impacted the nutrition of pregnant women and their access to regular medical care. According to doctors working in maternity and neonatal units, this is now having repercussions on the health of fetuses and newborns.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza confirms that the flow of medical and food aid remains below the required level, despite the ceasefire, due to restrictions on the entry of medicines, nutritional supplements, and medical supplies. The ministry indicates that this shortage has led to a deterioration in the health of pregnant women and an increase in premature births, particularly between 30 and 32 weeks of pregnancy, instead of the normal range of 38 to 40 weeks.

Doctors link this situation to an increase in birth defects, especially those associated with deficiencies in folic acid and essential fatty acids, elements necessary for the development of the nervous system and bones in the fetus, which are not adequately supplied due to malnutrition and the lack of supplements.