A double prevention: How maternal education can affect maternal mental health, child health and child cognitive development

ABSTRACT Background Child cognitive development is influenced by early-life insults and protective factors. To what extent these factors have a long-term legacy on child development and hence fulfillment of cognitive potential is unknown. Objective The aim of this study was to examine the relation between early-life factors (birth to 2 y) and cognitive development at 5 y. Methods Observational follow-up visits were made of children at 5 y, previously enrolled in the community-based MAL-ED longitudinal cohort. The burden of enteropathogens, prevalence of illness, complementary diet intake, micronutrient status, and household and maternal factors from birth to 2 y were extensively measured and their relation with the Wechsler Preschool Primary Scales of Intelligence at 5 y was examined through use of linear regression. Results Cognitive T-scores from 813 of 1198 (68%) children were examined and 5 variables had significant associations in multivariable models: mean child plasma transferrin receptor concentration (β: −1.81, 95% CI: −2.75, −0.86), number of years of maternal education (β: 0.27, 95% CI: 0.08, 0.45), maternal cognitive reasoning score (β: 0.09, 95% CI: 0.03, 0.15), household assets score (β: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.24, 1.04), and HOME child cleanliness factor (β: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.05, 1.15). In multivariable models, the mean rate of enteropathogen detections, burden of illness, and complementary food intakes between birth and 2 y were not significantly related to 5-y cognition. Conclusions A nurturing home context in terms of a healthy/clean environment and household wealth, provision of adequate micronutrients, maternal education, and cognitive reasoning have a strong and persistent influence on child cognitive development. Efforts addressing aspects of poverty around micronutrient status, nurturing caregiving, and enabling home environments are likely to have lasting positive impacts on child cognitive development.

Download Full-text

Assessing omega-3 fatty acid supplementation during pregnancy and lactation to optimize maternal mental health and childhood cognitive development

Clinical Lipidology ◽

10.2217/clp.12.1 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 93-109 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Chelsea M Klemens ◽

Kataneh Salari ◽

Ellen L Mozurkewich

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Fatty Acid ◽

Cognitive Development ◽

Maternal Mental Health ◽

Omega 3 ◽

Fatty Acid Supplementation ◽

Acid Supplementation ◽

Omega 3 Fatty Acid ◽

Pregnancy And Lactation

Download Full-text

Cluster randomised controlled trial showed that maternal and child health handbook was effective for child cognitive development in Mongolia

Acta Paediatrica ◽

10.1111/apa.13864 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 106 (8) ◽

pp. 1360-1361 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Amarjargal Dagvadorj ◽

Takeo Nakayama ◽

Eisuke Inoue ◽

Narantuya Sumya ◽

Rintaro Mori

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Development ◽

Randomised Controlled Trial ◽

Child Health ◽

Maternal And Child Health ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial ◽

Cluster Randomised ◽

Randomised Controlled ◽

Child Cognitive Development ◽

And Child Health

Download Full-text

Maternal depressive symptoms and early childhood cognitive development: a meta-analysis

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s003329171600283x ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 47 (4) ◽

pp. 680-689 ◽

Cited By ~ 50

Author(s):

Y. Liu ◽

S. Kaaya ◽

J. Chai ◽

D. C. McCoy ◽

P. J. Surkan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Cognitive Development ◽

Maternal Mental Health ◽

Post Partum ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Relevant Literature ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Integrated Approach ◽

Maternal Depressive Symptoms ◽

Child Cognitive Development

BackgroundPrevious findings have been mixed regarding the relationship between maternal depressive symptoms and child cognitive development. The objective of this study was to systematically review relevant literature and to perform a meta-analysis.MethodThree electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO) were searched. Initial screening was conducted independently by two reviewers. Studies selected for detailed review were read in full and included based on a set of criteria. Data from selected studies were abstracted onto a standardized form. Meta-analysis using the inverse variance approach and random-effects models was conducted.ResultsThe univariate analysis of 14 studies revealed that maternal depressive symptoms are related to lower cognitive scores among children aged ⩽56 months (Cohen's d = −0.25, 95% CI −0.39 to −0.12). The synthesis of studies controlling for confounding variables showed that the mean cognitive score for children 6–8 weeks post-partum whose mothers had high depressive symptoms during the first few weeks postpartum was approximately 4.2 units lower on the Mental Developmental Index (MDI) of the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (BSID) compared with children with non-symptomatic mothers (B̂ = −4.17, 95% CI −8.01 to −0.32).ConclusionsThe results indicated that maternal depressive symptoms are related to lower cognitive scores in early infancy, after adjusting for confounding factors. An integrated approach for supporting child cognitive development may include program efforts that promote maternal mental health in addition to family economic wellbeing, responsive caregiving, and child nutrition.

Download Full-text