[Catch-up growth assessment in abused infants].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the catch-up growth of abused infants who stayed in foster care for 1 year.


METHODS
Longitudinal study over an 8 year period (1992-1999). All infants were aged between 5 and 7 months at the time of entry into foster care. Weight, length, and arm circumference were established on entry and were reassessed 3,6, and 12 months after initial placement. Results were compared with normal regional longitudinal standards of reference(Zscore). Student's t-test was used to assess statistically significant differences.


RESULTS
Sixty-four infants (34 boys and 30 girls) entered foster care during the study period. Mean age was 6 months (boys: 0.69 SDU/girls 0.70 SDU). At placement, the analyzed parameters were below the normal standards (boys: weight Z = -1.98 SDU, length Z = -2.09 SDU, arm circumference Z = -1.34 SDU; girls: weight Z = -1.86 SDU, length Z = -1.61 SDU, arm circumference Z = -1.22 SDU) and showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.05). Catch-up growth during the first 3 months after placement was considerable (improvement in boys: weight Z = +1.20 SDU, length Z = + 1.18 SDU, arm circumference Z = +0.95 SDU; improvement in girls: weight Z = +0.82 SDU, length Z = +.63 SDU, arm circumference Z = +0.77 SDU). Differences were no longer statistically significant but still remained below normal standards. Six months after initial placement, there was no significant catchup growth for length (improvement in boys = + 0.34 SDU; improvement in girls = +0.05 SDU) and growth impairment for weight and arm circumference was minimal. Twelve months after initial placement, impairment of catch-up growth for all parameters was mild. No statistically significant differences compared with normal standards were found (boys: weight Z = -0.84 SDU, length Z = -0.74 SDU, arm circumference Z = - 0.56 SDU; girls: weight Z = -1.09 SDU, length Z = -1.04 SDU, arm circumference Z = -0.52 SDU).


CONCLUSIONS
In 6 month old infants of both sexes, catch-up growth was significant during the first 3months after placement into foster care. A stay of more than 6 months did not produce improvement in catch-up growth.
Oliván Gonzalvo
G
G
Servicio de Pediatría. Instituto Aragonés de Servicios Sociales.Departamento de Sanidad, Consumo y Bienestar Social. Gobierno de Aragón. Zaragoza.
D002649:Child Abuse / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002657:Child Development; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male