Catch up growth following abuse

Abstract

Poor growth in association with child abuse is well recognised, but the eventual outcome with respect to growth has not been clearly defined. In a study of 95 children who had suffered child abuse standard deviation (SD) scores for height and weight were significantly below the mean at presentation and improved at follow up. Sixty four children who remained at home showed significant increase in height SD scores only (p<0.01). Twenty children were either taken into long term fostercare or adopted and showed significant increases in height and weight SD scores (p