The development of abused children.
Thirty-nine children were reviewed who had suffered child abuse at an average of 5 1/2 years earlier. In comparison with a group matched for socio-economic status, the abused children performed significantly lower on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale, and were more delayed in language development and reading ability. Their teachers' assessments of behaviour showed significantly more abnormal profiles than in the comparison group. These differences could not be accounted for by the small proportion of known head-injuries in the abused group. Child abuse has long-term effects, so it is necessary that these children are thoroughly assessed at first presentation, and that they are followed with a specific programme aimed at preventing these sequelae.
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004410:Dyslexia / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D007804:Language Development; D008297:Male; D019965:Neurocognitive Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D012923:Social Class