BAGHDAD, Nov. 22 (Xinhuanet) -- A latest study showed that the malnutrition rate among Iraqi children had doubled since the US-ledwar on the country 20 months ago, local newspaper Al Sharq Al Awsat reported on Monday.

    The study, co-conducted by the Iraqi Health Ministry, the Norwegian Institution of Applied Studies and the United Nations aidagency in Iraq, pointed out that the rate of severe malnutrition among Iraqi children above 5 years old increased to 7.7 percent this year, in comparison with 4 percent two years ago.

    It also showed that some 400,000 Iraqi children were suffering from emaciation characterized by chronic diarrhea and deprivation of protein.

    The US-led war on Iraq and subsequent waves of violence between the US-Iraqi forces and insurgents have virtually induced many parts of the oil-rich country into rubbles, where children are facing a dire shortage of basic necessities and adequate medical care. Enditem