Abstract
Objectives To investigate if an association exists between being born large for gestational age (LGA) and verbal ability or externalizing behaviour problems at ages 4-5 years. Method A secondary analysis was conducted using the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth, including singleton births in 2004-2005 followed till 4-5 years (n = 1685). LGA was defined as a birth weight > 90th percentile. Outcomes included poor verbal ability (scoring < 15th percentile on the Revised Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test) and externalizing behaviour problems (scoring > 90th percentile on externalizing behaviour scales). Multivariable logistic regression with longitudinal standardized funnel weights and bootstrapping estimation were used. Results Infants born LGA were not found to be at increased risk for poor verbal ability (aOR: 1.16 [0.49,2.72] and aOR: 0.83 [0.37,1.87] for girls and boys, resp.) or externalizing behaviour problems (aOR: 1.24 [0.52,2.93] and aOR: 1.24 [0.66,2.36] for girls and boys, resp.). Social factors were found to impact developmental attainment. Maternal smoking led to an increased risk for externalizing behaviour problems (aOR: 3.33 [1.60,6.94] and aOR: 2.12 [1.09,4.13] for girls and boys, resp.). Conclusion There is no evidence to suggest that infants born LGA are at increased risk for poor verbal ability or externalizing behaviour problems.
Highlights
Infant birth weight (BW) is both a marker of prenatal conditions and a strong predictor of neonatal health outcomes [1]
Infants born large for gestational age (LGA) have been shown to have a higher risk of adverse obstetrical outcomes as well as future metabolic deficits [3]
There was no evidence to suggest that being LGA is associated with poor verbal ability
Summary
Infant birth weight (BW) is both a marker of prenatal conditions and a strong predictor of neonatal health outcomes [1]. It has been noted that there is a reverse J-shaped relationship between birth weight and a number of adverse outcomes [2]. The majority of the literature has focused on those born small for gestational age (SGA). Infants born large for gestational age (LGA) have been shown to have a higher risk of adverse obstetrical outcomes as well as future metabolic deficits [3]. There is sparse and inconclusive literature examining whether being born LGA is associated with an elevated risk of poorer developmental attainment. Using a large cohort study, Alati et al found a positive association between being born LGA and social disorder symptoms (aOR: 1.57 [1.12, 2.20])
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