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Deprivation hands and feet
Archives of Disease in Childhood
|October 1, 1985
Insights
Children in deprived areas with
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Social Medicine
Background:
- Inner-city preschools in deprived areas may serve vulnerable populations.
- Identifying health indicators in early childhood is crucial for public health interventions.
- Socioeconomic disadvantage can significantly impact child development and health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate a specific physical sign observed in preschool children from deprived backgrounds.
- To compare the growth and development of affected children with their peers.
- To explore the association between the observed sign and socioeconomic factors within families.
Main Methods:
- A survey was conducted in three inner-city day nurseries in deprived areas.
- Researchers identified preschool children exhibiting 'deprivation hands and feet' (pink, oedematous extremities).
- Affected children and their families were compared to control groups within the same nurseries.
Main Results:
- Thirteen preschool children presented with 'deprivation hands and feet'.
- Affected children showed poor growth and development compared to norms, but similar to controls.
- Families of affected children faced significant social disadvantage; other children in these families also displayed the sign.
Conclusions:
- 'Deprivation hands and feet' may be a sign associated with significant social disadvantage in preschool children.
- Further research is warranted to understand the etiology and implications of this sign.
- Early identification of such signs can aid in addressing health disparities in vulnerable populations.
Abstract:
A survey of preschool children in three inner city day nurseries serving deprived areas found 13 children with pink oedematous hands and feet--'deprivation hands and feet'. The children and their families were compared with similar children in the nurseries. Growth and development were poor compared with accepted norms, but not notably different from controls. The families of the affected children were exceptional in being at a considerable social disadvantage. Other children in the families of these children also showed the sign.