Children living on the street face many serious health problems from an inadequate diet, lack of sleep, poor hygiene or exposure to the elements. They have nobody to take care of them. In some countries, a child cannot be legally treated or vaccinated without birth registration. All of this threatens their health. These people know that children living on the street often don't have birth certificates and can't prove who they are.
Girls are especially at risk.
Children who are not registered may not have a health record. Nobody keeps track of their medical history. Health care workers need this information to help people who are sick and to prevent illnesses. If children are malnourished and need assistance from food programmes, some countries require that they show a birth certificate. If children need health care, but can't prove that they are citizens of their own country, they might be refused the care they need.