Nutritional status assessment in children entering foster care
Oliván Gonzalvo, G.
Anales Espanoles de Pediatria 51(6): 643-647
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0302-4342 PMID: 10666898 Document Number: 499233
The purpose of this study was to assess the nutritional status of abused and neglected children in a middle-sized city (Zaragoza, Spain) at the time of entry into foster care. A cross-sectional study was performed over a 7-year period. Using the anthropometric method, the nutritional status of 684 children (379 boys/305 girls), ranging in age from 1-17 years, was assessed. Weight, height and body-mass index were formulated (mean and DS) and compared with normal national reference standards (Z-score). Significant statistical differences were assessed (Student's unpaired t test). Below, arranged by age and sex, the significant variances reflecting subnormal standards are listed. Weight: 1 and 2 year old boys and girls (p < 0.001); 3 and 4 year old girls (p < 0.01); 3, 4, 5 and 6 year old boys and 7, 8 and 10 year old girls (p < 0.05). Height: 1, 5 and 9 year old boys and 1, 2, 3, 4 and 11 year old girls (p < 0.001); 2 and 4 year old boys and 6 and 10 year old girls (p < 0.01); 3, 6, 10, 15, 16 and 17 year old boys and 8, 9, 11, 12, 13 and 17 year old girls (p < 0.05). Body-mass index: 1 year old boys (p < 0.001); 6 year old boys (p < 0.01); 1, 2 and 7 year old girls (p < 0.05). Malnutrition and growth delay are present in a high rate of children entering foster care. In preschool children, moderate forms of acute and chronic malnutrition with wasting and stunting are predominant, identifying with the "failure to thrive syndrome". In primary and secondary school aged children, mild forms of chronic malnutrition with growth failure are predominant. When growth and developmental delay is present in children entering foster care, in the majority of cases, nutritional and emotional deficiencies are the etiology for this delay. This is consistent with the concept of "growth and developmental delay of psychosocial deprivation origin".