scholarly journals Factors associated with head circumference and indices of cognitive development in early childhood

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (10) ◽  
pp. e003427
Author(s):  
Laura Nicolaou ◽  
Tahmeed Ahmed ◽  
Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta ◽  
Pascal Bessong ◽  
Margaret Kosek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Development ◽  
Head Circumference ◽  
Brain Size ◽  
Birth Cohort Study ◽  
Intracranial Volume ◽  
Z Score ◽  
Gross Motor ◽  
Factors Associated

BackgroundWhile head circumference (HC) has been related to intracranial volume and brain size, its association with cognitive function remains unclear. We sought to understand the relationship among various biological and socioeconomic risk factors, HC and cognitive development.MethodsWe analysed data across resource-poor settings in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Peru, South Africa and Tanzania from the Etiology, Risk Factors and Interactions of Enteric Infections and Malnutrition and the Consequences for Child Health and Development longitudinal birth cohort study. Participating children were enrolled and followed up between 2009 and 2014. A final sample of 1210 children aged 0–24 months were included in the analyses. The main outcomes were HC for age Z-score and cognitive, gross motor and language scores from Bayley Scales of Infant Development-III tests. Length, weight and HC were measured monthly, and cognitive tests were administered at 6, 15 and 24 months of age. To disentangle the associations between risk factors and HC from linear growth and to distinguish the direct and indirect effects of these risk factors on cognitive function, we conducted mediation analysis using longitudinal models to account for all data measured during follow-up.ResultsAverage HC-for-age Z-score (HCAZ) was −0.54 (95% CI −0.47 to −0.62) near birth and −1.01 (95% CI −0.94 to −1.08) at 24 months. Children with higher enrolment weight (p<0.0001), higher socioeconomic score (p=0.00037) and taller mothers (p=0.00084) had higher HCAZ at all ages, while enteropathogen infection (p=0.013) and more febrile episodes (p=0.013) were associated with lower HCAZ. The associations between HCAZ and enrolment weight-for-age, maternal height, socioeconomic status or pathogen burden were partly mediated through their associations with length-for-age. HCAZ showed no association with cognitive, gross motor or language skills at 6, 15 and 24 months of age.ConclusionsThe main risk factors associated with HC are similar to those associated with body length, and HC is not related to cognitive function.

scholarly journals Effects of Physical Activity on Brain Energy Biomarkers in Alzheimer’s Diseases

Diseases ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 18
Author(s):  
Khadijeh Ebrahimi ◽  
Morteza Jourkesh ◽  
Saeed Sadigh-Eteghad ◽  
Stephen R Stannard ◽  
Conrad P. Earnest ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Protective Effect ◽  
Aerobic Exercise ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Preventive Interventions ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Brain Energy

The prevalence of dementia has substantially increased worldwide. Currently, there is no cure for dementia or Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and care for affected patients is financially and psychologically costly. Of late, more attention has been given to preventive interventions—in particular, physical activity/exercise. In this review, examine the risk factors associated with AD and the effects physical activity may play in the prevention of the degenerative process of this disease, loss of memory and cognitive performance in the elderly. To date, research has shown that physical activity, especially aerobic exercise, has a protective effect on cognitive function and memory in the elderly and Alzheimer’s patients. In comparison with aerobic exercise, several strength training studies have also shown positive effects, and the rare studies that compare the two different modalities show no difference.

scholarly journals Association of Sickle Cell Trait with Measures of Cognitive Function and Dementia in African Americans

Blood ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 1099-1099
Author(s):  
Chen Nemin ◽  
Christina Caruso ◽  
Alvaro Alonso ◽  
Vimal K. Derebail ◽  
Abhijit V Kshirsagar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Cognitive Dysfunction ◽  
Sickle Cell ◽  
Risk Allele ◽  
Sickle Cell Trait ◽  
Z Score

Abstract Background: The prevalence of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) and its associated complication of cognitive decline is significantly higher amongst African Americans than non-Hispanic Whites. Sickle cell anemia or sickle cell disease has been associated with a 30-45% increased prevalence of CSVD which presents as silent cerebral infarcts and impaired cognitive function. However, the association between sickle cell trait (heterozygosity for the sickle cell mutation) and cognitive decline or dementia has not been reported. Hypothesis: African Americans with SCT will have a significantly higher incidence and prevalence of cognitive impairment and dementia compared to those without SCT. Methods: We studied African Americans participants enrolled in the community-based prospective Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. SCT genotype status was determined using Taqman® genotyping from blood samples collected at baseline. Data from cognitive assessments at visits 2, 4 and 5, and an MRI performed at visit 5 were used for analysis. Using linear regression models for visit 2 cognitive measures and visit 5 brain MRI outcomes, a generalized estimating equation (GEE) for cognitive change, and Cox models for the incidence of dementia, we determined whether SCT was associated with a higher risk for cognitive dysfunction, global and regional brain volumes, and dementia. Results: Distribution of traditional risk factors for cognitive decline were not significantly different between participants with SCT (N = 176) and those without SCT (N = 2,532). In multivariable, cross-sectional analyses of 2,708 participants, those participants with SCT compared to those without SCT did not show a statistically significant difference in the global or domain-specific cognitive function scores at baseline. Participants with SCT did not experience a faster 20-year cognitive decline compared to participants without SCT. Also, participants with SCT had larger parietal cortical volume (100.5 cm3 vs. 97.9 cm3, diff. = 2.67 (0.24, 5.11) cm3, p = 0.03), and lower incidence of dementia (HR = 0.63 95% CI = 0.38, 1.05) compared to those without SCT. Participants with a co-inheritance of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 risk allele and SCT (N = 63) had worse scores on the digit symbol substitution test (DSST) at baseline (z-score = -0.08 (-0.26, 0.09), Pinteraction = 0.05) and over time (z-score = -0.12 (-0.38, 0.14), Pinteraction = 0.04), compared to those with the APOE ε4 risk allele who do not have SCT (N = 113). SCT was associated with 2-fold increased risk of dementia among participants with diabetes mellitus and a 55% reduction in risk of dementia among those without diabetes mellitus (Pinteraction = 0.01). Conclusions: SCT was not an independent risk factor for prevalent or incident cognitive decline, but it could potentially interact with and modify other risk factors for dementia and cognitive dysfunction. Disclosures Key: UniQure BV: Research Funding.

scholarly journals Associations between breastfeeding and cognitive function in children from early childhood to school age: a prospective birth cohort study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Kyoung Kim ◽  
Jae-Won Choi
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Development ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Breastfeeding Duration ◽  
Birth Cohort Study ◽  
School Age ◽  
Expressive Vocabulary ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Ages And Stages Questionnaire

Abstract Background:Despite evidences of breastfeeding for preventing acute physical illnesses in infants, the evidence for the association between breastfeeding and long-term cognitive development is not yet convincing.Methods:The data of nationwide representative sample of 1,752 children born between 2008 and 2009 in Korea were prospectively assessed from the fetal period to examine the benefits of breastfeeding and cognitive development. Breastfeeding duration was prospectively assessed by parents. The Korean Ages and Stages Questionnaire and the Korean version of Denver II were used to assess early development annually from 5.5 to 26.2 months of age. Language development at 3 years of age was assessed with Receptive and Expressive Vocabulary Tests. Cognitive function at 8 years of age was assessed using multifactorial intelligence test.Results:Children who were breastfed for 1–3 months displayed significantly higher odds ratios for delayed development assessed at 14.1 months than those breastfed for 3–6 months (OR = 2.21; 95% CI: 1.08, 4.50). Children who were breastfed for >3 months also scored significantly higher on the communication (F = 17.71; p < 0.001) and problem-solving (F = 11.26; p < 0.001) subscales at 14.1 months of age, and the expressive language subscale (F = 12.85; p < 0.001) at 3 years, compared to children breastfed for 3 months or less. The performances on the calculation subscale (F = 2.43; p = 0.033) at 8 years of age differed significantly among the groups of breastfeeding duration. Conclusion:We found that cognitive development was improved in children that were breastfed for >3 months. Although these results are supported by previous studies, it is important to note that other factors were reported as larger determinants of cognitive development than breastfeeding. Future studies that examine the underlying mechanism for the association between breastfeeding and cognitive development are warranted.

scholarly journals Multilevel analysis of risk factors associated with severe underweight among children under 5 years: evidence from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 166-172
Author(s):  
Justice M K Aheto ◽  
Ogum-Alangea Deda
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Health Survey ◽  
Maternal Education ◽  
Demographic And Health Survey ◽  
Multiple Birth ◽  
Demographic And Health Surveys ◽  
Z Score ◽  
Household Level ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Weight For Age

Background: Undernutrition among children <5yr. is a global public health problem, especially in developing countries like Ghana. Undernutrition increases the risk of child morbidity and mortality. There is paucity of data on household-level effects on severe underweight and associated factors. Objective: The study investigated the risk factors associated with severe underweight among children < 5yr.in Ghana and examined unobserved differences across households based on the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health surveys (GDHS) data. Methods: Data from a population-based cross-sectional study was obtained from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey. Data on 2720 children nested within 1972 households was extracted for analysis. Our regression analysis used data on 2716 children with complete data on the outcome and risk factors. Children with weight-for-age Z-score below -3 standard deviations were classified as severely underweight based on the 2006 WHO child growth standards. We applied random intercept multilevel logistic regression to examine whether severe underweight status in children differ across households while simultaneously identifying potential risk factors. Results: A total of 2720 children had valid weight-for-age z-score and 53 (1.95%) of them were identified as severely underweight. In the univariate model, child level variables such as multiple birth [odds ratio (OR), 4.03;95%confidence interval (CI): 1.85-8.76]and child born average (OR, 2.17;95%CI: 1.09-4.32) or small (OR, 4.08; 95%CI: 2.01-8.28) in size at birth are associated with increased odds of severe underweight. Maternal/household level variables such as increase in number of children below 5 yr. (OR, 1.61; 95%CI: 1.28-2.04), poorest households (OR, 4.85; 95%CI: 1.14-20.59) and increase in number of births in last 5 yr. (OR, 1.80, 95%CI: 1.24-2.60) were associated with increased odds of severe underweight. Increase in maternal years of education (OR, 0.89; 95%CI: 0.83-0.95) was associated with reduced odds of severe underweight. In the multilevel logistic model, only type of birth (OR, 1.61;95%CI: 1.28-2.04), size of child (average: OR, 2.12;95%CI: 1.04-4.33; small: OR, 3.87;95%CI: 1.80-8.33) at birth, and maternal education (OR, 0.92;95%CI: 0.84-1.00) were independently associated with severe underweight. There were no significant residual household-level variations in severe underweight status. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that improving maternal education, socioeconomic conditions of families, and family planning are critical in addressing severe underweight

scholarly journals Associations between breastfeeding and cognitive function in children from early childhood to school age: a prospective birth cohort study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Kyoung Kim ◽  
Jae-Won Choi
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Development ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Breastfeeding Duration ◽  
Birth Cohort Study ◽  
School Age ◽  
Expressive Vocabulary ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Ages And Stages Questionnaire

Abstract Background: Despite the evident benefits of breastfeeding for preventing acute physical illnesses in infants, the evidence for the benefit of breastfeeding on long-term cognitive development is not yet convincing.Methods: The data of nationwide representative sample of 1,752 children born between 2008 and 2009 in Korea were prospectively assessed from the fetal period to examine the benefits of breastfeeding and cognitive development. Breastfeeding duration was prospectively assessed by parents. The Korean Ages and Stages Questionnaire and the Korean version of Denver II were used to assess early development annually from 5.5 to 26.2 months of age. Language development at 3 years of age was assessed with Receptive and Expressive Vocabulary Tests. Cognitive function at 8 years of age was assessed using multifactorial intelligence test.Results: Children who were breastfed 1–3 months displayed significantly higher odds ratios for delayed development assessed at 14.1 months than those breastfed for 3–6 months. Children who were breastfed for >3 months also scored significantly higher on the communication and problem-solving subscales at 14.1 and 26.2 months of age, the expressive language subscale at 3 years, and the vocabulary and language inference vocabulary subscales at 8 years of age than children who were breastfed for <3 months.Conclusion: We found that cognitive development was improved in children that were breastfed for >3 months. Although these results are supported by previous studies, it is important to note that other factors were larger determinants of cognitive development than breastfeeding. Future studies that examine the underlying mechanism for the association between breastfeeding and cognitive development are warranted.

On the relationship between head circumference, brain size, prenatal long-chain PUFA/5-methyltetrahydrofolate supplementation and cognitive abilities during childhood

2017 ◽  
Vol 122 (s1) ◽  
pp. S40-S48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrés Catena ◽  
Cristina Martínez-Zaldívar ◽  
Carolina Diaz-Piedra ◽  
Francisco J. Torres-Espínola ◽  
Pilar Brandi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Head Circumference ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Brain Size ◽  
Brain Mri ◽  
Optimal Time ◽  
Grey Matter Volume ◽  
Intracranial Volume ◽  
Brain Volumes ◽  
Matter Volume ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractHead circumference in infants has been reported to predict brain size, total grey matter volume (GMV) and neurocognitive development. However, it is unknown whether it has predictive value on regional and subcortical brain volumes. We aimed to explore the relationship between several head circumference measurements since birth and distributions of GMV and subcortical volumes at later childhood. We examined seventy-four, Caucasian, singleton, term-born infants born to mothers randomised to receive fish oil and/or 5-methyltetrahydrofolate or placebo prenatal supplementation. We assessed head circumference at birth and at 4 and 10 years of age and cognitive abilities at 7 years of age. We obtained brain MRI at 10 years of age, on which we performed voxel-based morphometry, cortical surface extraction and subcortical segmentation. Analyses were controlled for sex, age, height, weight, family status, laterality and total intracranial volume. Prenatal supplementation did not affect head circumference at any age, cognitive abilities or total brain volumes. Head circumference at 4 years presented the highest correlation with total GMV, white matter volume and brain surface area, and was also strongly associated with GMV of frontal, temporal and occipital areas, as well as with caudate nucleus, globus pallidus, putamen and thalamus volumes. As relationships between brain volumes in childhood and several outcomes extend into adulthood, we have found that ages between 0 and 4 years as the optimal time for brain growth; postnatal factors might have the most relevant impact on structural maturation of certain cortical areas and subcortical nuclei, independent of prenatal supplementation.

scholarly journals Head circumference as a useful surrogate for intracranial volume in older adults

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 157-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tammy T. Hshieh ◽  
Meaghan L. Fox ◽  
Cyrus M. Kosar ◽  
Michele Cavallari ◽  
Charles R. G. Guttmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Head Circumference ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Brain Size ◽  
Statistical Parametric Mapping ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Epidemiologic Studies ◽  
Cognitive Outcomes ◽  
Intracranial Volume ◽  
Simple Method

ABSTRACTBackground:Intracranial volume (ICV) has been proposed as a measure of maximum lifetime brain size. Accurate ICV measures require neuroimaging which is not always feasible for epidemiologic investigations. We examined head circumference as a useful surrogate for ICV in older adults.Methods:99 older adults underwent Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). ICV was measured by Statistical Parametric Mapping 8 (SPM8) software or Functional MRI of the Brain Software Library (FSL) extraction with manual editing, typically considered the gold standard. Head circumferences were determined using standardized tape measurement. We examined estimated correlation coefficients between head circumference and the two MRI-based ICV measurements.Results:Head circumference and ICV by SPM8 were moderately correlated (overall r = 0.73, men r = 0.67, women r = 0.63). Head circumference and ICV by FSL were also moderately correlated (overall r = 0.69, men r = 0.63, women r = 0.49).Conclusions:Head circumference measurement was strongly correlated with MRI-derived ICV. Our study presents a simple method to approximate ICV among older patients, which may prove useful as a surrogate for cognitive reserve in large scale epidemiologic studies of cognitive outcomes. This study also suggests the stability of head circumference correlation with ICV throughout the lifespan.

scholarly journals Dietary intake and cognitive development among children in Kisumu county, Kenya

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (06) ◽  
pp. 16585-16603
Author(s):  
Caroline Sawe ◽  
◽  
W Kogi-Makau ◽  
GAK Ettyang ◽  
CO Kimamo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Development ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Marital Status ◽  
Infant Development ◽  
Parental Education ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Nutrient Deficiency ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Factors Associated

Varied nutrient-dense and high-quality diet are key to ideal growth and cognitive function in the early years of life. Nutrient deficiency can lead to negative functional effects of the brain and poor cognitive function. High rates of poverty in developing countries predispose children to malnutrition. This study aimed at exploring factors associated with dietary intake and cognitive development among children in Kisumu County, Kenya.This was across-sectional study survey that recruited 192 children aged less than 24 months. Food frequency questionnaire and Bayleys Scale for Infant Development kit was used to collect data.It was revealed that a total of 51% were girls with 30% aged below 6 months. Only 12%had cognitive scores above average. Child cognitive scores were linked with age (p= 0.022), carbohydrate (p=0.021), fat (p=0.011) and iron (p=0.022) intake. Only 34% and 32% of children consumed diets adequate in proteins and iron,respectively. Of children aged above 18 months, only 13% consumed diet adequate in iron. Factors associated with carbohydrate intake included:mother's marital status (p=0.036) and her level of income (p=0.028) while protein intake related to the type of housing (p=0.013). Fat intake was linked with the mother's marital status (p=0.009) and her level of income (p=0.001) while the iron intake was linked to the mother's level of income (p=<0.001) and her educational level (p< 0.001). Vitamin A intake was linked to the ability to pay rent by the household (p=0.016). Further analysis revealed that children whose fathers were earning more than Kenya shillings 3000.00 per month had 0.2 times lower risk of being above average on cognitive scores compared to those whose fathers were earning less than Kenya shillings 3000.00 per month,while those with an inadequate intake of carbohydrate had 8 times more risk of having cognitive scores above average compared to those whose diets were adequate.In conclusion, majority of children consumed diets inadequate in protein and iron while 12% of children had cognitive scores above average. Mother’s marital status, education and income influenced child’s dietary intake while their age groups and father’s income were associated with child's cognitive outcomes.Policies to enhance parental education and income level should be formulated to improve child's dietary and cognitive outcomes.

scholarly journals Risk Factors of Malnutrition in Chinese Children with Congenital Heart Defect

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingjie Zhang ◽  
Liping Wang ◽  
Rui Huang ◽  
Chongrui Sun ◽  
Nan Bao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Pulmonary Hypertension ◽  
Heart Disease ◽  
Congenital Heart Defect ◽  
Congenital Heart ◽  
Heart Function ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Z Score ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Heart Defect

Abstract Background: The study aimed to investigate the risk factors of malnutrition in children with congenital heart defect (CHD) in China. Methods: This cohort study was performed at the biggest pediatric heart center in China; 3252 patients with CHD who underwent cardiac surgeries in 2013 were included. Anthropometric measurements included weight for age Z score (WAZ), weight for height Z score (WHZ), and height for age Z score (HAZ). The patients were classified as normal nutritional status and malnutrition, based on a cut-off Z score of <-2. Factors associated with malnutrition were determined using logistic regression analysis. Results: The prevalence of preoperative WAZ <-2 (underweight), HAZ <-2 (stunting), and WHZ<-2 (wasting) was 23.3%, 23.3%, and 14.3%, respectively. The multivariable analysis of preoperative malnutrition showed that hospitalization, age at surgery, risk adjustment for congenital heart surgery-1 >3, mechanical ventilation, pulmonary hypertension, and acyanotic heart disease were associated with underweight. Parents’ height, single ventricle, and cyanotic heart disease were associated with stunting. Hospitalization and pulmonary hypertension were associated with wasting. After surgery, the patients presented a significant improvement in growth within the first year in all three parameters and grew to the normal range of WAZ (-0.3±0.9, P<0.001), HAZ (0.2±0.8, P=0.001), and WHZ (0.03±0.6, P<0.001) at two years after surgery. The prevalence of underweight, stunted, and wasting declined to 3.2%, 2.7%, and 1.9% three years after surgery. Malnutrition after surgery was associated with cardiac residual cardiac abnormalities (OR=35.3, p<0.0001), high Ross classification of heart function (OR=27.1, p<0.0001), and long-term taking oral diuretics (OR=20.5, P=0.001).Conclusions: Malnutrition is still a problem in children with CHD in China, especially before the surgery. There is need to strengthen the nutrition support for children with CHD before surgery. Hemodynamic factors were found to be the risk factors associated with malnutrition after operation.

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