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
The Role of Residential Homes in the Care of Orphans Affected by HIV
There is a general recognition in the international development community that children in situations of vulnerability –…
Read moreThe capacity of the extended family safety net for orphans in Africa
This paper reviews published studies on orphans and describes indicators by which weakened or saturated extended family…
Read morePrevalence and Care Practices of Epileptic Seizure among Children in Orphan and Vulnerable Children Homes in Abeokuta, Nigeria
This study focused on care and prevalence of epileptic seizure among children in orphans and vulnerable children homes in…
Read morePhysical and sexual abuse in orphaned compared to non-orphaned children in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis
This systematic review assessed the quantitative literature to determine whether orphans are more likely to experience physical…
Read more