A PROSPECTIVE 15-YEAR FOLLOW-UP-STUDY OF KWASHIORKOR PATIENTS .2. SOCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES, EDUCATIONAL-ATTAINMENT AND SOCIAL-ADJUSTMENT

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 58  (17) , 677-681
Abstract
Of 221 infants serially admitted to hospital with kwashiorkor and continuously observed thereafter, 116 were available for study after 15 yr. Siblings (89) formed the comparison group. A final assessment of their social circumstances, attainment in education and adjustment to society is reported. Economic circumstances improved considerably, housing adequacy deteriorated and family instability became relatively less marked. Achievement in education resembled that of the population from which the sample was drawn, and there was no difference between that of ex-patients and siblings. The majority of those who left school were in gainful occupation but the nature of the work was unskilled or semiskilled. Delinquency was equally common in ex-patients and siblings. More than a quarter of the boys showed serious or potentially serious antisocial behavior.