Survival of the nurtured: A 60-year follow-up study on mortality in institutionalised infants

Child Abuse & Neglect 2026 Open access

Read full text
Authors: Patricia Lannen, Hannah Sand, Aziz Chaouch, Fabio Sticca, Raquel Paz Castro, Flavia Maria Wehrle, Rousson Valentin, Oskar G. Jenni
DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2026.108040
Cited by: 0
References: 57

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Early childhood institutional placements are hypothesised to have long-term consequences for health and survival. This study examined 60-year mortality outcomes in individuals placed in infant institutions marked by severe psychosocial deprivation. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: The study includes 431 individuals placed in institutions within their first days of life (1958-1961) in Zurich, Switzerland. While they received adequate physical care, they experienced profound psychosocial deprivation (

Fields of Study & Subjects

Child Welfare and Adoption Infant Development and Preterm Care Child Abuse and Trauma

Publication details

Journal / source
Child Abuse & Neglect
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Volume
176
Pages
108040–108040
Publication date
14 April 2026
Language
EN