Impact of early neglect/malnutrition

[BlackNails]

Excitedly waiting for custody to bring home daughter number 3. We are outside of UK doing a domestic adoption here again. She is gorgeous, happy and loving and currently in foster care (same family since 4 months old). Now 18 months. When taken into care at age 4 months she weighed about 300 grams more than my other two did at birth. She was about half the weight she should have been due to neglect. I’m looking for good links and articles to improve my understanding of the impact of neglect and malnutrition on new borns as she develops. Thanks.

Have you had a look at studies on Romanian orphans? You might find some clues there. At the end of the day it is all highly individual though as you probably know already.

innovation.umn.edu/international-adoption-project/
www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-39055704
creatingafamily.org/adoption-category/toddler-adoption-and-attachment-good-news/

Dawn Davenport from creatingafamily.org might be able to point you towards relevant research.

The Resource page of the Center for the Developing Child (Harvard Uni) has some good info:
developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/

And I have just come across their page for suggested activities for different developmental stages to support executive function development/ self regulation skills:
developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/activities-guide-enhancing-and-practicing-executive-function-skills-with-children-from-infancy-to-adolescence/

www.rainbowkids.com/adoption-stories/the-impact-of-early-orphanage-life-on-development-218

Thanks very much for taking the time to help. This is new for me as my other two were both in care (orphanage for one, foster care for other) from birth so physical needs at least were met in terms of nutrition and safety. I want to make sure I am as equipped as possible to spot future needs. She is pretty on target for much of development although speech and walking are delayed and she is still small (and possibly always will be - I know they were afraid she might not live when she was taken into care). I did read that there can be long term impacts on the brain from early malnutrition and starvation so I want to educate myself as much as possible. Thanks again xx