Head circumference and child ADHD symptoms and cognitive functioning: results from a large population-based cohort study

AbstractThe aim of this study is to understand the association between prenatal, newborn and postnatal head circumference (HC) and preschool neurodevelopment in a large population-based birth cohort. The INMA project followed 1795 children from 12  weeks of pregnancy to preschool years. HC measurements were carried out prospectively, and following a standardized protocol during pregnancy (12, 20 and 34 weeks), birth, and child ages of 1–1.5 and 4 years old; andz-scores were further estimated. Prenatal head growth was assessed using conditionalz-scores between weeks 12 –20 and 20–34. Several neuropsychological tests [MSCA (cognition), CPT (attention)] and behavioral rating scales [DSM-IV-ADHD, CAST (autism), CPSCS (social competence)] were carried out during the last follow-up (5 years old). Multivariable models adjusted for family and child characteristics w ere applied to analyze associations between HC and neurodevelopment. In fully adjusted models, prenatal HC and head growth showed little or no associations with the neurodevelopment outcomes. Independent associations were observed between HCz-scores at birth, 1 –1.5 years and 4 years and MSCA global cognitive scores and DSM-IV inattention symptoms. Specifically,z-score at birth was positively associated with general cognitive scores [β 1.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.59, 1.85], and we observed a protective association with ADHD-DSM-IV total symptoms, mean ratio (MR) 0.85 (0.75, 0.96). Prenatal HC and h...
Source: European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research