Cited by 110Child Welfare and AdoptionGrowth Hormone and Insulin-like Growth FactorsChild Nutrition and Water Access

IV. Growth failure in institutionalized children

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Johnson, Dana E, Gunnar, Megan R·2011·Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development

Abstract

Children within institutional care settings experience significant global growth suppression, which is more profound in children with a higher baseline risk of growth impairment (e.g., low birth weight [LBW] infants and children exposed to alcohol in utero). Nutritional insufficiencies as well as suppression of the growth hormone–insulin-like growth factor axis (GH-IGF-1) caused by social deprivation likely both contribute to the etiology of psychosocial growth failure within these settings. Their relative importance and the consequent clinical presentations probably relate to the age of the child. While catch-up growth in height and weight are rapid when children are placed in a more nurturing environment, many factors, particularly early progression through puberty, compromise final height. Potential for growth recovery is greatest in younger children and within more nurturing environments where catch-up in height and weight is positively correlated with caregiver sensitivity and positive regard. Growth recovery has wider implications for child well-being than size alone, because catch-up in height is a positive predictor of cognitive recovery as well. Even with growth recovery, persistent abnormalities of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system or the exacerbation of micronutrient deficiencies associated with robust catch-up growth during critical periods of development could potentially influence or be responsible for the cognitive, behavioral, and emotional sequelae of early childhood deprivation. Findings in growth-restricted infants and those children with psychosocial growth are similar, suggesting that children experiencing growth restriction within institutional settings may also share the risk of developing the metabolic syndrome in adulthood (obesity, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart disease). Psychosocial deprivation within any caregiving environment during early life must be viewed with as much concern as any severely debilitating childhood disease.

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Crossref · 10.1111/j.1540-5834.2011.00629.x

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  1. Georgieff MK 2006 Iron Hay WH Thureen PJ Neonatal nutrition and metabolism 2nd 291 298 Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press

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Authors
Johnson, D. E., & Gunnar, M. R.
Affiliations
University of Minnesota (US)
Corresponding author
Johnson, Dana E
Venue
Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development
Published
2011-12
Volume
76
Issue
4
Pages
92-126
ISSN
  • 0037-976X (ISSN-L)
  • 1540-5834
OpenAlex
W1813546283
Cited by
110
References
196
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 2
FWCI
16.43
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
U.S. National Institute of Mental Health (080905, 078105, 079513)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Safety Research › Child Welfare and Adoption
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Growth Hormone and Insulin-like Growth Factors
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Child Nutrition and Water Access
Keywords
institutionalized children, growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor axis, catch-up growth, low birth weight, prenatal alcohol exposure, social deprivation, caregiver sensitivity, puberty timing, adult height, cognitive recovery, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, micronutrient deficiency, metabolic syndrome, early childhood deprivation

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