The physical health of children in kinship care
H. Dubowitz, S. Feigelman, S. Zuravin, V. Tepper, N. Davidson and R. Lichenstein
Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore 21201.
OBJECTIVE--The objectives of this study were to assess the current and
chronic health problems and the adequacy of primary health care of children
placed with a relative (kinship care) by a public agency. RESEARCH
DESIGN--Population survey. SETTING--Children in kinship care in Baltimore,
Md. PARTICIPANTS--Four hundred seven (78%) of 524 children in kinship care
in 1989. INTERVENTIONS--None. MEASUREMENTS/MAIN RESULTS--Information on the
child's health status and care was obtained via a review of medical
records; questionnaires sent to primary care physicians, parents, care
givers, and caseworkers; and clinical assessment of the child by a nurse,
pediatrician, and child psychologist. The children were found to have
health problems similar to those in foster and poor children, but more
problems than American children in general. Frequent diagnoses included
impaired visual acuity and hearing, obesity, dental caries, and asthma;
often, these problems had not been identified or treated. Gaps in the
medical records precluded firm conclusions concerning the children's
primary care, but suggest an inadequate system for ensuring their health
care. CONCLUSIONS--There is a need for improving the system of health care
for children in kinship care. There is also a need for additional research
on this high-risk group of children.
