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Published on: February 2, 2017

Children adopted from China: a prospective study of their growth and development

Nancy J Cohen1, Mirek Lojkasek, Zohreh Yaghoub Zadeh

  • 1Hincks-Dellcrest Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. nancy.cohen@utoronto.ca

Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines
|January 29, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Children adopted from China experienced initial growth and developmental delays but reached average functioning within six months. However, full catch-up with peers took two years, highlighting the lasting impact of early nutrition and experiences.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Developmental Psychology
  • International Adoption Studies

Background:

  • China is a primary source country for international adoptions due to the young age of children and reported orphanage conditions.
  • This study investigates the growth and developmental trajectories of children adopted from China during their initial two years post-adoption.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the physical growth and developmental outcomes of infants adopted from China.
  • To compare these outcomes with non-adopted Canadian children over a two-year period.

Main Methods:

  • Seventy infant girls adopted from China (mean age 13 months) were assessed upon arrival in Canada and at 6, 12, and 24 months.
  • Comparisons were made with Canadian control girls on growth indices and standardized developmental measures (mental, psychomotor, language).

Main Results:

  • Adopted children showed smaller size and developmental delays upon arrival compared to peers.
  • Within six months, physical and developmental measures reached the average range.
  • Full parity with peers was achieved by the second year, though some variations persisted, particularly in physical size (height, weight, head circumference).
  • Physical measurements, especially height-to-age ratio, correlated with developmental outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Early life deprivation has more enduring effects on physical growth than mental development.
  • The height-to-age ratio, as an indicator of nutritional status, underscores the critical importance of early nutrition.
  • Findings emphasize the long-term impact of early experiences and nutrition on child development.
Abstract

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