Each year, more than eleven million children die from the effects of disease and inadequate nutrition. In some countries, more than one in five children die before they reach their fifth birthday. Many of the children who do survive are unable to grow and develop to their full potential. In developing countries, seven out of ten childhood deaths can be attributed to just five main causes. Diarrhea - Diarrhea is extremely common and may be life threatening because of the dehydration and malnutrition it causes if it goes untreated.
Diarrhea is the second most common cause of death in children.
Malaria - Most of the deaths due to this widespread disease occur among African children. Measles - Vaccines have made this disease rare in the industrialized world. Its occurrence in developing countries has also been rapidly reduced but it is still life threatening and claims the lives of 800,000 children each year. Malnutrition - One in four children in the developing world suffers from malnutrition. As well as the misery of constant hunger, malnourished children are far more likely to succumb to infections.