Anothando suffers from malnutrition not progeria, says Dr
By Simbongile Mdledle
A health expert tasked with monitoring the condition of a two-month-old baby girl, Anothando Phemna Mtshobi, says reports that she has progeria are inaccurate. Dr Nonkqubela Mkizwana says the little girl suffers from severe malnutrition instead. According to Dr Mkizwana, malnutrition is caused by not breastfeeding or eating properly.
Dr Mkizwana says the baby is also born in a poverty-stricken family, so that’s why she suffered from severe malnutrition. Dr Mkizwana is leading a multi-disciplinary team that is looking after the health of this infant who is currently a Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital patient and is growing well“Now she is eating well and the weight has also improved we are hoping that she would be discharged soon,” she said. The two-month-old baby recently made headlines on media platforms because of her condition alleged to be progeria. Progeria is a progressive genetic disorder, where symptoms of ageing manifest at an early age. This results in a slow-growth hair loss and a high-pitched voice.
Health MEC in the Eastern Cape, Nomakhosazana Meth, visited the family of the two-month-old baby and donated clothes. “This visit is a sign of showing support to the mother and show that we love her and we welcome her baby,” said Meth. MEC says her department would be conducting awareness campaigns in the community surrounding Ngavungavu. This follows vile slurs hurled at the family because of the child’s condition.
