Abstract

A survey of preschool children in three inner city day nurseries serving deprived areas found 13 children with pink oedematous hands and feet--'deprivation hands and feet'. The children and their families were compared with similar children in the nurseries. Growth and development were poor compared with accepted norms, but not notably different from controls. The families of the affected children were exceptional in being at a considerable social disadvantage. Other children in the families of these children also showed the sign.