Widespread Growth Retardation and Variable Growth Recovery in Foster Children in the First Year After Initial Placement

Abstract

Almost half of the children showed significant catch-up growth in the first year after foster care placement, indicating probable prior growth failure. Initial height was not predictive of future growth, and simple screening (such as height less than the fifth percentile) would have missed the majority of children who showed catch-up growth. A substantial minority (18%) continued to decline across height percentiles after placement. The initial and subsequent growth failure and catch-up growth in this population did not appear to be related to nutritional changes.