The influence of child abandonment at any age from Moldova

Abstract

Background. Child abandonment represents a serious social and medical issue, with multiple consequences on the child’s psychological and physical development. In the Republic of Moldova, as well as in other Eastern European countries, this phenomenon persists, especially among newborns and young children. Objective(s). Evaluating the impact of abandonment on children of all ages, identifying its causes and methods of prevention, and highlighting the importance of involving professionals from various fields. Materials and methods. For this study, 17 scientific articles in Romanian, English, and Russian were selected and analyzed from databases such as PubMed, NCBI, Google Scholar, and Medscape, published between 2015 and 2025. Additionally, observational studies and best practice guidelines regarding the consequences of child abandonment were also used. Results. Among the main causes of child abandonment are the family's vulnerable social status (42%), lack of family support (28%), mental disorders in both parents (13%), migration abroad (10%), and unplanned or unwanted pregnancies (7%). The most frequently observed consequences of abandonment include cognitive developmental delays (68%), emotional disorders (52%), and difficulties in the child's later adaptation and integration into society (44%). Both national and international studies show that early, coordinated collaboration between professionals from various fields can significantly reduce the risk of abandonment by approximately 30%. Conclusion(s). Abandonment is a complex phenomenon that profoundly and negatively affects the child's emotional, social, and psychological development. Preventing this process requires a multidisciplinary approach and the development of comprehensive support services for vulnerable families.