Physical health and development are among the many components of life affected by orphanhood. Children in institutional settings suffer from stunted growth, even with plenty of healthy food, according to a study conducted by the St. Petersburg-USA Orphanage Research Team, titled "The Effects of Early Socio-Emotional and Relationship Experience on the Development of Young Orphanage Children." Weight, height, and head and chest circumference are all affected. Children who struggle with poor growth usually also encounter a wide range of medical problems.

Behavioral support is a frequent need among orphaned children. Those in residential care are more likely than those in foster homes or living with family members to take risks, run away and engage in criminal activity, according to a compilation of research on institutional care of vulnerable children distributed by the North American Council on Adoptable Children. These problems are compounded by an increased risk of substance abuse.

Cognitive functioning also fails to thrive in institutionalized children -- particularly those who spend their earliest years in orphanages. They may have difficulty thinking independently and solving problems, struggle with basic reasoning and fight to maintain concentration. They also tend to have significantly lower IQs than their peers in private homes, and are susceptible to being diagnosed with myriad learning disabilities.

The research conducted by the St. Petersburg-USA Orphanage Research Team found that children reared in orphanages consistently suffer social attachment issues. They may be overly friendly to people they hardly know, for instance, but unable to form healthy friendships with others. Many of these problems are attributed to minimal human interaction, as well as the turnover of employed caregivers with whom young children were able to successfully form attachments.