Abstract
Many physical and psychological characteristics are influenced by prenatal development. Some studies have located links between low birth parameters and behavioural problems, with the latter in turn associated with educational progress, career success, overall health, and subsequent life events. However, few studies have investigated whether this association also applies to children in the normal birth growth range. This study thus investigates the relationship between normal-range birth length, weight, and behavioural problems at the age of seven. We use data from the Czech part of the European Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood (ELSPAC) cohort, which provides comprehensive insight into a post-communist country undergoing a period of economic transition. Childhood behavioural problems were measured in 1,796 children using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Associations were modelled using weighted logistic regression. Birth weight was found to be linked to the total difficulties score, hyperactivity, and peer relationship problems subscales in a fully adjusted model while birth length was not significantly associated with any subscale in the fully adjusted model. We thus conclude that normal-range birth weight is associated with behavioural problems. It can therefore be assumed that the odds of behavioural problems and their consequences can be mitigated by preventive programs targeting pregnant women and children with lower but still normal weight.
Highlights
The prenatal environment affects a child’s biological and psychological development while influencing their behaviour
This study aims to investigate the relationship between birth weight, birth length and behavioural problems using the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) at age seven using data from the Czech European Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood (ELSPAC) cohort
The current study used unique data from a Central European population undergoing a period of socioeconomic transition to explore the relationship between birth weight, birth length and behavioural problems in children at age seven
Summary
The prenatal environment affects a child’s biological and psychological development while influencing their behaviour. Ever since the foetal origins of adult disease were observed by David Barker [1], various factors and their influence on child development have been studied extensively. The first studies were geographical and only circumstantial, focusing on the association between low birth weight or short birth length and the development of diseases in adult life (atherosclerosis, blood pressure, cognitive and affective disorders, depression, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, hypertension, stroke, coronary heart disease) [2,3,4,5,6,7]. As birth weight and birth length are not affected by postnatal development, they constitute suitable proxy measures. Birth weight and behavioral problems in the ELSPAC cohort this study are available on reasonable request through the website of the Czech ELSPAC project: http://www.elspac.cz/index-en.php
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