The health survey instituted by Thampu (Centre for Tribal Education, Development and Research) covering 799 children in 40 oorus in Attappadi found that 132 children were suffering from malnourishment and anaemia.
Initially 132 children in the age group of 0 to 6 years were selected and their health assessment was conducted at the Vattulkui O L H ooru, Attappadi and the Cholakaad ooru in Mukkali.
Former vice principal of the Alappuzha Medical College and Professor of pediatric surgery at the Cochin Cooperative Medical College, E K Sathyan, examined the children. The children’s height, weight, circumference of the head and mid-arm circumference were examined. A 62-point questionnaire was given to the mothers and it was on the basis of this that the conclusions were derived, said Rajendra Prasad, president of Thampu. It was found that it was anaemic mothers who had mostly suffered abortions, given birth to still born babies, under weight children and also premature babies. All the children born were found to have weight which was below normal at the national level.
Dr E K Sathyan said that the interval between two suuccessive pregnancies was most often found to be only two years. He said that since these 132 children were malnourished, there was scope of spread of contagious diseases as their immunity has decreased considerably. Two of these children were suffering from sickle cell anaemia and one child from metabolic disorders. Dr Sathyan said that children born to malnourished mothers were prone to hypertension, blood pressure and heart problems in the future.
