What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• Maternal Deprivation
• Nonorganic Failure to Thrive

What is Maternal Deprivation Syndrome? (Definition/Background Information)

• Maternal Deprivation Syndrome is a disorder of neglect that results in a failure to thrive in children; typically, children below 2 years of age are affected the most. A failure to thrive may be defined as decreased height and/or weight and children failing to reach the developmental milestones
• The form of neglect may be intentional or unintentional, and may occur from factors such as having young parents, unwanted pregnancies, poor educational background of parents, poverty, and absence of a parent
• Maternal Deprivation Syndrome is caused by dysfunctional interaction between caregiver and the child, which may arise from ignorance about childcare and several other factors
• The signs and symptoms of Maternal Deprivation Syndrome may include decreased weight gain (usually in 5th percentile or below), lack of linear growth (height), inadequate hygiene, and problems of interaction between the mother (parent) and child
• The complications may include abuse, delayed development, and even abandonment of the child. A diagnosis of Maternal Deprivation Syndrome includes a careful physical evaluation, laboratory tests to rule out major medical illnesses, and assessing reasons for the child’s diminished growth or inability to gain weight
• Treatments for Maternal Deprivation Syndrome requires a multidisciplinary input and may include physicians, nutritionists, nurses, social workers, and behavioral specialists. This may include increased feeding intake, counseling for the parent(s), and hospitalization, if necessary
• Preventative measures that may be taken to avoid the disorder are educating parents during prenatal care, support groups, and contacting a medical professional or social worker if a parent does not feel that he or she can adequately care for the child
• The prognosis of Maternal Deprivation Syndrome is generally good, and children often make a full recovery. However, if the problem goes unattended, it can significantly affect the child with a failure to thrive even resulting in fatalities

Who gets Maternal Deprivation Syndrome? (Age and Sex Distribution)

• Maternal Deprivation Syndrome affects children, particularly children below age 5. The physical and mental health effects can even manifest into adulthood, if the condition is left untreated
• Boys and girls are both affected, and no gender preference is generally observed. However, in some geographical regions and certain cultures, young girls are neglected more often than boys
• The condition is observed worldwide, especially in under-developed and poorly-developed nations. Nevertheless, the condition is not uncommon in the developed nations too
• Worldwide, all races and ethnic groups can be affected

What are the Risk Factors for Maternal Deprivation Syndrome? (Predisposing Factors)

The following are the risk factors for Maternal Deprivation Syndrome:

• Having young parents
• Nuclear families, where both parents are working
• Unplanned/unwanted pregnancy
• Lower education levels of parents
• Lower socioeconomic status (poverty)
• Absence of a parent, especially father
• Social and cultural factors - in some parts of the world, boy babies are preferred much more than girl babies to the extent that they are denied ample care and nourishment
• Absence of a social support network
• Mental illness affecting the caregiver

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases one’s chances of getting a condition compared to an individual without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more important than others. 

Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that an individual will not get the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider.

What are the Causes of Maternal Deprivation Syndrome? (Etiology)

Maternal Deprivation Syndrome is caused by a combination of some of the following factors. The neglect may be intentional or unintentional.

• Dysfunctional interaction between the caregiver and child
• Poverty
• Child abuse
• Ignorance about childcare 
• Although the parent/caregiver may seem concerned, adequate parent-child interplay is in some ways distorted or absent

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Maternal Deprivation Syndrome?

The signs and symptoms of Maternal Deprivation Syndrome may include:

• Excessive crying in very young children
• Detachment
• Diminished or lack of linear growth (especially height)
• Psychological issues for the child including dejection and feeling of loneliness
• Inadequate hygiene
• Poor appetite or changes in appetite
• Absence of or decreased weight gain: Usually the child’s growth may be in the 5th percentile or below; meaning, the child’s weight is less than 95% of other similar age children

How is Maternal Deprivation Syndrome Diagnosed?

The diagnosis for Maternal Deprivation System may include:

• A careful physical evaluation and thorough examination of the child’s medical history
• Evaluating the reasons for a child’s diminished growth or inability to gain weight
• Laboratory tests to rule out major medical illnesses, as required
• Imaging studies and other examinations depending on the health condition of the child

Many clinical conditions may have similar signs and symptoms. Your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to rule out other clinical conditions to arrive at a definitive diagnosis.

What are the possible Complications of Maternal Deprivation Syndrome?

Possible complications associated with Maternal Deprivation Syndrome include:

• Abandonment
• Delayed development
• Abuse
• Severe emotional and mental health issues

How is Maternal Deprivation Syndrome Treated?

The treatment for Maternal Deprivation Syndrome may require multidisciplinary inputs and involve physicians, nutritionists, nurses, social workers, and behavioral specialists.

• The child’s feeding should be gradually increased (to 150 calories per kg per day)
• Referring parents to programs which develop parenting skills; counselling for the parents
• Suggesting that extended family members be alerted to this, and including them in the treatment efforts
• Keeping the child temporarily in the hospital if the symptoms do not appear to improve

How can Maternal Deprivation Syndrome be Prevented?

Preventative measures that can be taken to avoid Maternal Deprivation Syndrome include:

• Education about parenting while prenatal care is administered
• Parenting classes and social support groups
• Contacting a medical professional or a member of social services if a parent does not feel that he or she can adequately provide care for their child

What is the Prognosis of Maternal Deprivation Syndrome? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

• The prognosis for Maternal Deprivation Syndrome is generally good if the condition is identified early and appropriate care is promptly provided. Generally, a full recovery is expected with early intervention
• However, continued neglect and persistence of failure to thrive can be fatal
• Some children grow into adults with the baggage of emotional and mental trauma

Additional and Relevant Useful Information for Maternal Deprivation Syndrome:

Failure to thrive in children may also be caused by a variety of factors.