The Social, Emotional, and Physical Components in a Case Study of Ten Children With Celiac Disease in Babies Hospital in New York City From 1943 to 1950

Dolores Joan Peters, Fordham University

Abstract

Background of the Study. There are many very real medical problems in the world today and we all realize that, although great strides have been made in infant health and welfare, there are still many areas to be investigated. Medicine is now taking on the study of the less well known but equally serious diseases that have tragic consequences. One of these diseases is celiac syndrome. Few conditions have maintained their challenge more persistently than celiac disease. A satisfactory explanation for it has yet to be found; the course is a long one, usually extending over years of treatment, is apt to be prolonged and a trial to all involved.Celiac disease is a "clinical state" which occurs between the ages of six months and six years, attacks both male and female alike, and is no respecter of wealth or position. It is characterized by protruding abdomen; foul, pasty stools; listlessness; and retarded growth. If not noticed in time, this disease may result in death, and in the majority of cases hospitalization is necessary. Frequently, not only the patient, but his family as well, is involved in the necessary medical and social readjustments. Parents do not like to accept the fact that their child is suffering from a fatal illness and that they might have helped to cause it. The doctors at Babies Hospital realized that celiac disease was becoming more common and felt it was imperative to do more research into the nature of the disease, so they organized the celiac clinic. The solution to this problem is a challenge to science.

Subject Area

Social work|Social studies education|Health care management|Public health

Recommended Citation

Peters, Dolores Joan, "The Social, Emotional, and Physical Components in a Case Study of Ten Children With Celiac Disease in Babies Hospital in New York City From 1943 to 1950" (1950). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI30725002.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI30725002

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