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Medical diagnoses and growth of children residing in Russian orphanages
Author(s) -
Miller Laurie C.,
Chan Wilma,
Litvinova Aina,
Rubin Arkady,
Tirella Linda,
Cermak Sharon
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
acta pædiatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2007.00537.x
Subject(s) - medicine , growth chart , pediatrics , head circumference , microcephaly , anthropometry , rickets , anemia , demography , birth weight , vitamin d and neurology , pregnancy , biology , genetics , sociology
Abstract Aims: Survey the health of young children residing in Russian orphanages. Methods: Retrospective chart review of all 193 ‘healthy’ young children (105M:88F, age range 2–72 months) residing in orphanages in Murmansk, Russia. Results: Mothers of these institutionalized children had complex histories including chronic health problems (38%), use of tobacco (41%), alcohol (39%) and illicit drugs (7%). Frequent diagnoses of the children included rickets (21%), foetal alcohol syndrome (10%), anemia (6%), developmental delay (11% mild, 25% moderate, 28% severe), behavioural problems (60%) and ‘perinatal encephalopathy’ (46% <1 year of age). At orphanage entry, growth delays were common (underweight 34%, short stature 25%, microcephaly 34%). During orphanage residence, height z scores further decreased (p = 0.01), but head circumference improved (p < 0.0001, paired t ‐tests). Head circumferences increased significantly in 62% of microcephalic children. Smaller children (z score <−2) at entry exhibited more rapid growth (z score/month) for weight (+0.24 vs. −0.12, p = 0.04), height (+0.81 vs. −0.65, p = 0.0001), and head circumference (+1.02 vs. −0.10, p = 0.0004). Growth correlated with child developmental status. Conclusions: Young institutionalized children in Murmansk have complex medical status, social histories and frequent growth and developmental delays. Anthropometric measurements—particularly head circumference—improved during orphanage residence in children who entered with more severe growth delays.