They condemn some parents for the severe malnutrition of their baby, who followed a strict vegan diet without medical control

In Australia, 30-year-old parents have lost custody of their children and have been sentenced to 18 months of commutable imprisonment for the serious state of health in which their young daughter was, who imposed a strict vegan diet without any medical control. So much so, that at 19 months the girl looked like a baby of only three, according to Australian media.

The news has rekindled the debate about whether or not this food option chosen by adults is also imposed on babies and growing children.

He weighed less than five kilos with 19 months

Alarms went off in March 2018, when parents alerted emergency services because their 19-month-old daughter was having seizures. But when the doctors assisted her they discovered that his state of health was extremely delicate, due to severe malnutrition.

The baby weighed only 4.9 kilograms, suffered a bone disease that had caused small fractures, and had so little muscle tone that she could not crawl or sit without help. In addition, his lips were bluish, he had low levels of calcium, iron and sugar, his legs were swollen due to the accumulation of fluid, he had no teeth and he didn't speak either.

In Babies and more This way the baby gains weight month by month during his first year of life

When asked by the doctors, the parents confessed that their daughter was following a vegan diet consisting of oatmeal, potatoes, rice, tofu, bread, peanut butter, rice drink and occasionally fruit, and that I had never received nutritional supplements.

The little girl was quickly hospitalized, and given the seriousness of the situation the case was brought to the attention of the authorities. The couple had two other children older than six and four years old, although they were not significantly malnourished, they were very late in their respective vaccination schedules.

In an investigation of the girl's medical history, it was discovered that she was not vaccinated and that she had never had a medical follow-up, since since she left the hospital after her birth she had never gone to a pediatrician again.

They have lost custody of their children and have been sentenced to 300 hours of social services

Yesterday we learned the sentence issued by a court of Downing Center (Sydney): 18 months of switchable prison for probation and 300 hours of community work, and the loss of custody of their three children, although they can visit them occasionally.

In Babies and more Italy proposes jail sentences for parents who impose a vegan diet on their children

The judge who has issued a sentence accused the parents of having lied to the authorities when they were questioned, - they alleged that the girl ate animal products occasionally, that she would soon be vaccinated and that the pediatrician had told them that she was growing- , and of be unconscious with your daughter's health, calling his position "reckless negligence".

"We are not facing an isolated act of omission of care, or a momentary decision taken in a context of pressure that would lead the girl to suffer serious injuries. This girl was severely malnourished, with low weight and height, and a delay in the development of milestones appropriate to their age "

"The parents were not especially young, immature, uneducated or inexperienced in the care of young children. In fact, the girl was her third child, so they had experience in caring for babies and young children. "

"It is the responsibility of all parents to ensure that the diet they provide to children is balanced (...). That responsibility remains very important, regardless of dietary preference (...) They had several occasions to appreciate that their daughter was not thriving" - said the judge.

The girl remained hospitalized for a month and when she was discharged her health status had already stabilized, she had a normal diet, her teeth had gone out and she had begun to receive additional support. In just six months he increased his weight by six kilos, and began to crawl.

Nowadays, the little girl is three years old and is being raised by relatives, all his vaccines are up to date, he receives speech therapy, physiotherapy for his bone and muscle problems and medication to boost his growth, since physically and mentally he is below average.

Now the parents are separated and have shown their repentance, so according to the Guardian newspaper, they are taking parenting courses and participating in nutritional education workshops. In addition, the mother is being treated for the natal and postnatal depression she suffered, and that she said, "made her feel useless, apathetic and indifferent."

Can a child eat a vegetarian / vegan diet with no health risks?

Vegetarian diets favor the consumption of products of plant origin, reducing or completely eliminating animal products. In the end are the vegan diets, which are those that exclude any food of animal origin (meat, fish, animal fats, jelly, dairy products - cheese, milk, yogurt, butter - honey, eggs).

This case has revived the debate about whether or not babies and growing children follow vegan or vegetarian diets. But what has happened to this girl is not the fault of a vegan diet, but of the unconsciousness of some parents to impose an uncontrolled vegan diet, poorly balanced and without any medical follow-up.

In Babies and More Vegan and Vegetarian Children: How to Eat Properly The American Academy of Nutrition, as well as other medical and dietary societies, believe that well-planned vegetarian and vegan diets are perfectly suited for children of all ages.

But, from the Spanish Association of Pediatrics, the importance of the diet has no imbalances, because as with other types of food, a poorly planned vegetarian diet It can have negative consequences on the health and growth of children and adolescents.

In this sense, nutrition experts and pediatricians recommend that the vegetarian / vegan diet be prepared by a professional that ensures the contribution of proteins necessary for each stage of life. In addition, the child should receive vitamin B12 and vitamin D supplements, in the event that he cannot be regularly exposed to sunlight, and follow routine medical checks to ensure that there is no nutritional deficit.

Video: Adherence to HIV Treatment - Young Kenyans Speak Out (April 2024).