Austrian police probe deeper into Fritzl incest case, victims undergoing therapy

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They will all need extensive therapy to come to terms with the horrific ordeal, medical officials have stated in reports. Psychologists maintain that the family will most likely need years to recover from its trauma.

The three children have weakened immune systems, vitamin D deficiency, are anaemic and have cramped posture. They are not able to use language properly and speak using animalistic squeaks.

Stefan, 18 and Felix, 5 speak to each other in animal-like "grunts and growls" after spending their lifetimes in captivity, a hospital attendant said.

Police Chief Leopold Etz said, "When people say the children speak, this is only half true. With each other, they communicate with noises that are a mixture of growling and cooing. If they want to say something that others understand they have to focus and concentrate, which seems to be extremely exhausting."

Felix, five, prefers to crawl although he can walk. Stefan, 18, may have damaged sight and hearing. Their critically ill sister Kerstin, has lost most of her teeth.

The shocking effects of the family's imprisonment were brought to light as they tried to settle down in secure accommodation in hospital.

The father did not give any books to the family during their captivity. But Elisabeth still tried to teach her children reading and writing though with her endless suffering, she had lost much of her childhood knowledge. All that the children knew of the world was sourced from the television set.

The youngest of them all, Felix asked a police officer what the moon was, saying "Is God up there-", and is amused at the sight of a cow.

The boys said that the first meal after their freedom was "wonderful" and much better than their usual "meager diet".

Doctors admit that they face a huge challenge dealing with the combined effects of incest, isolation and a complete lack of medical care.

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