Catch-up growth assessment in long-term physically neglected and emotionally abused preschool age male children
Introduction
Through previous studies, we know that a high rate of children that have entered foster institutional care in Spain because of having suffered abuses and neglect during a variable period of time evidence physical health problems, different forms of malnutrition and a delay in growth and development (Olivan, 1999a, Olivan, 1999b, Olivan, 2002).
The objective of the present study was to assess the catch-up growth of preschool age children who have entered foster institutional care (residential facility) in Zaragoza City (650,000 pop.), Spain, after having suffered both long-term physical neglect and emotional abuse and who have remained 1 year after initial placement.
Section snippets
Patients and methods
A longitudinal study was performed over a 7-year period (January 1994–January 2001). Three selection criteria were included for a child to be eligible for the study: (1) aged between 24 and 48 months at the time of entry into residential facility; (2) having suffered both long-term (more than 6 months) physical neglect and emotional abuse; and (3) having stayed in foster care 1 year after initial placement.
Weight, height, and head circumference were established upon entry and re-assessed 1 year
Results
During the study period, 87 children aged between 24 and 48 months (54 male/33 female) were admitted to residential facility after having suffered both long-term physical neglect and emotional abuse. Nevertheless, only 20 children (23% of the total admissions) who entered foster care during the study period met the third selection criteria (having remained in the residential facility 1 year after initial placement). Of these children, all were males and at placement they were between the ages
Discussion
Admittedly, placement of children into foster residential care in situations of social risk during the first years of life has had unfavorable effects on their physical and psychological development. However, in recent years, the foster residential care models in Spain have changed substantially in all the orders decreasing partly the negative effects of institutionalization when compared with previous years. This makes the separation of a child from the social and family environment which is
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