Medical diagnoses and growth of children residing in Russian orphanages
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.
Categories: Health
Other articles
Adverse childhood experiences, psychosocial well-being and cognitive development among orphans and abandoned children in five low income countries
Background Development policymakers and child-care service providers are committed to improving the educational opportunities…
Read moreMental health of HIV/AIDS orphans
Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is one of the best known deadly diseases in…
Read moreIn the Spirit of Ubuntu: Enforcing the Rights of Orphans and Vulnerable Children Affected by HIV/AIDS in South Africa
The human immunodeficiency virus ("HIV") and acquired immune deficiency syndrome ("AIDS") have plagued the African continent.…
Read moreOrphans of the Mexican drug war: insights on a public health challenge
Objective. To describe how the Government of Mexico and other direct stakeholders perceive children orphaned by the drug…
Read more