Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence suggests that impaired foetal growth may provide an early indication of increased risk of child attention problems. However, despite both foetal growth and child attention problems differing by sex, few studies have examined sex differences in this association. Furthermore, no studies have been conducted in low- and middle-income countries, where there are higher rates of perinatal problems. This study aimed to test for sex differences in the association between foetal growth indices and attention problems at age four, in a large, prospective birth cohort from a middle-income country. METHODS: A total of 3,749 neonates from the 2004 Pelotas birth cohort (Brazil) with foetal growth indices collected at birth [low birthweight (LBW), small-for-gestational age (SGA), head circumference (HC), head circumference-to-abdominal circumference ratio (HC/AC) and ponderal index (PI)], were assessed for attention problems using the Child Behaviour Checklist at age four. Ordinal logistic regression with successive adjustment for maternal, demographic, gestational, perinatal and child nutrition/mother-child morbidity, was conducted separately for girls and boys. RESULTS: In girls, attention difficulties were associated with being born SGA (OR = 1.40, CI = 1.08-1.82, p = .012), with a small HC (OR = 1.52, CI = 1.11-2.08, p = .009), or with a low PI (OR = 1.29, CI = 1.08-1.54, p = .005). There were no associations identified between attention difficulties and any foetal growth indices in boys. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that girls with impaired foetal growth may be particularly at risk of attention difficulties in childhood. This is consistent with emerging research that female foetuses may be more vulnerable to certain suboptimal intrauterine environments, inducing epigenetic changes that lead to disturbed growth and long-term developmental impairment.

Original publication

DOI

10.1111/jcpp.12422

Type

Journal article

Journal

J Child Psychol Psychiatry

Publication Date

12/2015

Volume

56

Pages

1380 - 1388

Keywords

Gender, head circumference, low birth weight, pelotas birth cohort, ponderal index, small-for-gestational age, Attention, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Brazil, Child Development, Child, Preschool, Female, Fetal Development, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Infant, Low Birth Weight, Infant, Newborn, Infant, Small for Gestational Age, Male, Sex Factors