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Behaviour of severely malnourished children in a Jamaican hospital
S Grantham-McGregor1, M Stewart, C Powell
1Tropical Metabolism Research Unit, University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica.
Insights
Children with severe malnutrition showed less active and apathetic behavior. Their play behaviors improved upon recovery, but initial actions did not predict later developmental outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Developmental Psychology
- Child Behavior
Background:
- Severe malnutrition in infants (6-24 months) can impact behavior and development.
- Understanding behavioral differences is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the behavior of malnourished children with adequately nourished peers.
- To assess the impact of malnutrition on infant behavior and play.
- To determine if initial behavior predicts later developmental levels.
Main Methods:
- Observed 18 severely malnourished children (6-24 months) and 21 controls.
- Conducted regular developmental assessments using the Griffiths test.
- Compared behavioral responses to stimuli (e.g., toys) during hospitalization and recovery.
Main Results:
- Malnourished children were less active, more apathetic, and exhibited less exploratory play initially.
- Control children showed more distress when alone but engaged more with toys.
- Behavioral differences diminished upon nutritional recovery.
- Initial behavioral observations did not correlate with later developmental assessments.
Conclusions:
- Severe malnutrition significantly affects infant behavior and play exploration.
- Behavioral deficits associated with malnutrition are reversible with nutritional rehabilitation.
- Early behavioral assessments alone are insufficient predictors of long-term developmental outcomes in malnourished children.
Abstract:
The behaviour of 18 children with severe malnutrition between the ages of six and 24 months was observed. They were compared with 21 age-matched adequately nourished children in hospital with other diseases, and were given regular developmental assessments with the Griffiths test. On admission to hospital the malnourished children were less active and more apathetic than the controls when alone in their cots, while the controls were more distressed. When given toys, initially the malnourished children explored them less, using fewer play actions and touching fewer toys. These differences were not present on recovery. Initial behaviour did not predict later developmental levels.