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[Catch-up growth assessment in abused infants]
1Servicio de Pediatría. Instituto Aragonés de Servicios Sociales.Departamento de Sanidad, Consumo y Bienestar Social. Gobierno de Aragón. Zaragoza.
Insights
Abused infants in foster care showed significant catch-up growth in the first three months. However, a foster care stay longer than six months did not improve growth further for these infants.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Child Development
- Public Health
Background:
- Child abuse and neglect are significant public health concerns.
- Infants entering foster care often experience developmental delays and growth impairments.
- Early intervention and supportive environments are crucial for the well-being of abused children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the catch-up growth patterns of abused infants placed in foster care.
- To determine the impact of a one-year foster care stay on infant growth parameters.
- To compare the growth of infants in foster care with established regional growth standards.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study was conducted over an 8-year period (1992-1999).
- Infants aged 5-7 months at entry were monitored for weight, length, and arm circumference at 3, 6, and 12 months post-placement.
- Growth parameters were compared to normal regional longitudinal standards using Z-scores and analyzed for statistical significance with Student's t-test.
Main Results:
- Sixty-four infants (34 boys, 30 girls) were included, all below normal growth standards at placement (Z-scores ranging from -1.22 to -2.09).
- Significant catch-up growth occurred within the first 3 months (Z-score improvements of +0.63 to +1.20).
- After 6 months, catch-up growth plateaued, and by 12 months, while mild impairment persisted (Z-scores -0.52 to -1.09), differences were not statistically significant compared to normal standards.
Conclusions:
- Infants in foster care demonstrate notable catch-up growth in the initial three months post-placement.
- Extended foster care stays beyond six months did not yield additional improvements in growth parameters.
- Early placement and support in foster care are vital for initiating catch-up growth in abused infants.
Objective:
To assess the catch-up growth of abused infants who stayed in foster care for 1 year.
Patients And Methods:
Longitudinal study over an 8 year period (1992-1999). All infants were aged between 5 and 7 months at the time of entry into foster care. Weight, length, and arm circumference were established on entry and were reassessed 3,6, and 12 months after initial placement. Results were compared with normal regional longitudinal standards of reference(Zscore). Student's t-test was used to assess statistically significant differences.
Results:
Sixty-four infants (34 boys and 30 girls) entered foster care during the study period. Mean age was 6 months (boys: 0.69 SDU/girls 0.70 SDU). At placement, the analyzed parameters were below the normal standards (boys: weight Z = -1.98 SDU, length Z = -2.09 SDU, arm circumference Z = -1.34 SDU; girls: weight Z = -1.86 SDU, length Z = -1.61 SDU, arm circumference Z = -1.22 SDU) and showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.05). Catch-up growth during the first 3 months after placement was considerable (improvement in boys: weight Z = +1.20 SDU, length Z = + 1.18 SDU, arm circumference Z = +0.95 SDU; improvement in girls: weight Z = +0.82 SDU, length Z = +.63 SDU, arm circumference Z = +0.77 SDU). Differences were no longer statistically significant but still remained below normal standards. Six months after initial placement, there was no significant catchup growth for length (improvement in boys = + 0.34 SDU; improvement in girls = +0.05 SDU) and growth impairment for weight and arm circumference was minimal. Twelve months after initial placement, impairment of catch-up growth for all parameters was mild. No statistically significant differences compared with normal standards were found (boys: weight Z = -0.84 SDU, length Z = -0.74 SDU, arm circumference Z = - 0.56 SDU; girls: weight Z = -1.09 SDU, length Z = -1.04 SDU, arm circumference Z = -0.52 SDU).
Conclusions:
In 6 month old infants of both sexes, catch-up growth was significant during the first 3months after placement into foster care. A stay of more than 6 months did not produce improvement in catch-up growth.