Jayden O., 3

Jayden's father’s whereabouts are unknown; his mother gave birth to him while she was still a Form Four student. Jayden currently lives with his maternal grandmother, uncle and aunt in a one-room mud-walled house with an iron-sheet roof. His grandmother, a peasant farmer, is his primary caregiver. Earlier this month, Jayden’s mother travelled to Nairobi to begin training as a salonist under the care of her aunt. At the time of his admission, she was unaware that her son had been hospitalized because she does not own a phone, and attempts to reach the aunt had been unsuccessful. According to his grandmother, Jayden is normally a cheerful, playful and active child. However, he developed a high fever, generalized body swelling, inability to stand or walk without support, poor feeding and roughening of the skin. She initially took him to a nearby clinic, where he was assessed and given medication but there was no improvement after one week; his condition continued to worsen. Concerned by his persistent illness and increasing weakness, she brought him to Siaya County Referral Hospital, where he was reviewed in the outpatient department and subsequently admitted.

Jayden was diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition and severe anaemia, a serious combination requiring inpatient management. Malnutrition compromises immunity, growth and development, while severe anaemia significantly reduces oxygen delivery to vital organs and may cause cardiac complications. He requires careful nutritional rehabilitation, correction of anaemia as clinically indicated, treatment of underlying conditions and close monitoring. With appropriate treatment and sustained nutritional support, his prognosis is cautiously favourable.