<![CDATA[Purpose – Analyzing the impact of direct healthcare costs, indirect burdens, and coping strategies associated with childhood malnutrition on household economic well-being in South-South Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach – A quantitative survey-based study was conducted involving 363 households with children under five across six states in the South-South region of Nigeria. The data were analyzed using multiple regression. Originality – It presents recent (2025) micro-level empirical evidence that integrates medical expenditures, productivity losses, and household recovery responses within a single framework in the South-South region of Nigeria. Findings and Discussion – Direct Healthcare Costs ($X_1$): Had a significant negative effect ($\beta = -0.054$; $p = 0.044$). Out-of-pocket medical payments substantially depleted savings and worsened the family's economic situation. Indirect Costs ($X_2$): Had a positive but non-significant effect ($\beta = 0.080$; $p = 0.054$). The loss of caregivers' working days was offset by informal support or side jobs. Coping Strategies ($X_3$): Had a positive but non-significant effect ($\beta = 0.079$; $p = 0.507$). Debt and reduced food intake provided only temporary liquidity relief rather than long-term economic resilience. Conclusion – Malnutrition among toddlers places a significant strain on household finances due to high direct medical costs. Coping mechanisms such as informal loans fail to provide long-term recovery solutions; therefore, the government needs to implement community-based health insurance and microcredit schemes. Keywords – Malnutrition, Economic Consequence, Under-five children, Regression, Nigeria]]>
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