Gaza’s unseen casualties: A surge in stillbirths and birth defects | Gaza
Gaza Sees Rise in Congenital Anomalies and Stillbirths Amid Ongoing Conflict
Gaza City — The impacts of the ongoing conflict in Gaza have led to a significant increase in congenital anomalies and a surge in stillbirths, according to health officials. With medical facilities overwhelmed, newborns in hospitals are fighting for their lives against severe health challenges attributed to the conditions exacerbated by the war.
At Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza, two-month-old Osama battles a serious congenital heart defect and brain complications. His mother, Najia Zurub, has remained by his side since his birth. “I became pregnant with him during the war, and the pregnancy was exhausting due to the lack of food,” she said, noting the stressful living conditions that included tents without access to safe drinking water. Medical professionals confirmed that Osama’s condition is not hereditary, as he is Zurub’s first child and there is no family history of such issues.
Osama shares his hospital ward with other infants facing severe medical challenges, including two-week-old Ahmed, who shows signs of hydrocephalus, and two-month-old Suheir, born with multiple deformities. Earlier, the ward was bustling with several newborns grappling with similar issues, but the situation remains dire as resources dwindle.
Health officials stated that the number of congenital anomalies has doubled from 2022 to 2025, and the rate of stillbirths has increased by 140 percent during the same timeframe. In the past year alone, there were 457 neonatal deaths, reflecting a 50 percent rise compared to pre-war data.
Zaher al-Wahidi, director of the Health Information Unit at the Ministry of Health, cited several contributing factors to this alarming trend, including widespread malnutrition, deterioration of healthcare services, severe overcrowding, exposure to contaminated water, and ongoing airstrikes.
Dr. Asaad al-Nawajha, a pediatrician at Nasser Hospital, emphasized the risks posed to vital organs during the first trimester of pregnancy when a fetus is particularly vulnerable to adverse environmental conditions. He noted that many affected infants may not receive the necessary medical care due to resource shortages.
The conflict has had devastating effects on pregnant women, contributing to the deaths of at least 20,000 children and severely limiting the number of successful pregnancies. At the height of the airstrikes, live births in Gaza dropped by more than 30 percent. Although there was a slight recovery last year, birth rates remain significantly below pre-war levels.
Despite a ceasefire implemented last October, violence continues, with Palestinians advocating for acknowledgment of ongoing assaults. For the newborns at Nasser Hospital, the temporary cessation of bombings offers little relief, as they confront the enduring consequences of a conflict that has reshaped their very existence.
