Nutrition and growth retardation in 10 children with congenital deaf-blindness

This study describes the nutritional intake, growth, and early food habits of 10 Norwegian children born deaf and blind. They were 1 girl and 9 boys aged 8 to 23 years. A 4-day dietary record, anthropometric measurements, and interviews with the parents were obtained. The children had energy intakes below or in the lower range of the reference values given in the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs). Intakes of vitamins and minerals were acceptable when supplements were taken into account. Despite low physical activity, all pupils were thin. The interviews with the parents revealed early and serious feeding problems that arose at weaning. At the same time, growth retardation was registered for a majority of the pupils. All pupils were described as strikingly thin while growing up. We conclude that the early feeding problems were so pronounced that malnutrition may be considered a contributing factor to the growth retardation.