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It was found that among the short and underweight children there were nearly twice
as many girls as boys. It was significant that a comparatively high proportion of the
underweight (19 per cent) were the later-born children of large families, whereas these
families only provided 8 per cent of the heavy ones. The lowest social groups provided
more than their fair share of stunted and underweight children and proportionately less
than their share of physically superior children. It was not possible, at this stage of
the survey, to do more than take note of these differences, since any interpretation of
them would be incomplete without relating the heights and weights of the children to those
of their parents, and this is now being done. A comparison of the growth of premature
children with a similar, control group born at term showed that the premature children
were lighter and shorter at all ages than their controls. It was interesting to note
that as many as 40 per cent had eliminated their Initial handicap by four years. Those
who had caught up In this way were found to have mothers whose heights and weights were
similar to those of their controls, whereas the mothers of those who did not catch up
were shorter and lighter. It is hoped to keep the children in the survey for another
three years - until the end of the Primary School period.
The joint committee concluded their report thus "Such an opportunity to study
growth Is unique, and we are confident that the importance of the results for child
health will fully justify the amount of work involved In carrying out the surveys."
The joint committee recorded their gratitude to the health visitors and school
nurses for the work which they had done.
During 1952 and 1953 the medical officers carried out 25 and 21 survey examinations
respectively, but none were carried out in 1954 or 1955• The number of reports completed
by the school nurses during 1952, 1953, 1954 and 1955 were 25, 68, 24 and 23 respectively.
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