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Allied Journal of Medical Research
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Volume 2
Page 53
allied
academies
CANCER THERAPY AND ONCOLOGY
NEUROLOGY AND BRAIN DISORDERS
&
International Conference on
International Conference on
J u n e 2 1 - 2 2 , 2 0 1 8 | O s a k a , J a p a n
Joint Event on
NEURAL CORRELATES OF CARE SETTING IN A SAMPLE OF
CHINESE CHILDREN DOUBLE ORPHANED BY AIDS
Michael E Behen
Children’s Hospital of Michigan, USA
D
r. Behen will present data from a set of studies focusing on the functional and structural neural correlates of differential care
settings (orphanage, kinship care, community group homes) (NIH: 5R21HD087108-02) in children double orphaned by AIDS.
The talk will highlight the behavioral and neural phenotypes associated with such early adversity and across care settings, and
also predictors of such outcomes, especially focusing on timing and care setting parameters.
Objective:
Studies investigating the effects of early social deprivation associated with institutional rearing reveal increased
incidence of cognitive/behavioral problems and altered neural structure/function, raising concerns about the use of institutional
settings (i.e., orphanages) in the care of orphaned children, and prompting study of alternative programs (i.e., foster care) for the
care of such children. However, empirical scrutiny of neurodevelopmental outcomes across care settings (and timing/care setting
parameters associated with outcomes) is critical before a global push to foster care is undertaken.
Method:
Weappliedneurocognitive/behavioral assessments, andstructural/functionalMR imaging in124Chinesechildrendouble-
orphaned by HIV/AIDS (mean age=14.7+SD=1.5 years), across three care settings (orphanage, community group home, kinship
care), and two age groups (onset of adversity <3years, >8 years of age). Data analyses included between-group comparisons
on cognitive/behavioral outcomes and structural/functional neural connectivities. Regression analyses were used to identify/
determine relationships between duration in care and outcomes across settings, and whether relationships are moderated by age
of onset of adversity.
Results:
Analyses revealed increased incidence of cognitive/behavioral problems in children raised in orphanages and kinship
care compared to those in community group homes. Further, orphanage rearing was associated with altered neural connectivities,
especially involving frontal and temporal regions, compared to community group home. Outcomes were associated with duration
in care (longer duration in orphanage was associated with poorer outcomes over time; care in group homes was associated with
improved outcomes over time); findings were accenuated in children with onset of adversity before 3 years.
Conclusions:
Community group care was associated with improved neurodevelopmental outcomes compared to orphanage care.
Such outcomes appear to be strengthened over time in such settings, particularly in children with early onset of adversity. Such
data may have important implications for policy for how growing numbers of children, worldwide, can be best cared for following
early adversity.
mbehen@pet.wayne.eduAllied J Med Res 2018, Volume 2