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The behaviour of children at home who were severely malnourished in the first 2 years of life

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 July 2008

S. A Richardson ,
H. G Birch  and
C Ragbeer
S. A Richardson
Affiliation:
Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York
H. G Birch
Affiliation:
Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York
C Ragbeer
Affiliation:
Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York
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Summary

Studies of school age children who were severely malnourished in infancy have focused primarily on somatic growth and intelligence, but information about behaviour is almost completely lacking. In this study the social behaviour of 71 Jamaican school boys who were severely malnourished in infancy (index subjects) is compared with that of classmates of the same age and sex (comparisons) and also with the nearest sibling of the same sex where available. The child's behaviour in his home setting was assessed through an interview with the child's parent or parent substitute. It was found that the index children differed significantly from their comparisons in several ways. They were less liked by siblings and more unhappy at school. They more often behaved immaturely, were more clumsy and were either more highly active or lethargic. They were also more often withdrawn, solitary or unsociable. Differences between index boys and their siblings were not statistically significant on individual questions but were in the same direction as the index-comparision differences. No relationship was found between the age when admitted to hospital for malnutrition and later behaviour. Examination of the aetiological role of malnutrition and other biological and social factors is the next step in the present study.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Biosocial Science , Volume 7 , Issue 3 , July 1975 , pp. 255 - 267
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1975

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