Mother-child Dyads Research Articles

Exploring the cross-cultural validity of attachment theory: a study of Egyptian mother-child dyads using the Strange Situation Procedure

ABSTRACT Given the dearth of literature on attachment theory in the Arab world, this study explores the cross-cultural validity of attachment theory within an Egyptian sample of 60 mother-child dyads through the Strange Situation Procedure (SSP). The study examines the applicability of attachment theory’s universality, normativity, and secure base hypotheses, as well as the prevalence and manifestations of insecurity in an Egyptian sample. The findings supported attachment theory’s universality, normativity and secure base hypotheses, while simultaneously pointing towards cultural variations in attachment manifestations. Specifically, this study found that all children were classifiable according to the ABC classification system, and that secure attachment was the most prevalent within the sample. Additionally, trends of exploration and crying highly aligned with Ainsworth’s findings in the Baltimore study, supporting the secure base phenomenon within this Egyptian sample. Nevertheless, resistant attachment was more common than avoidant attachment, which differs from the global prevalence. Resistant attachment also primarily took the form of inconsolability rather than anger.

Household Food Security Status and Diet Diversity Predictors of Mother Child-Dyads from Rural Smallholders in Three Agroecological Zones of Malawi

ABSTRACT Data from mother-child dyads (n = 375) living in rural smallholder farming households in Malawi was utilized. Households with an average income of >$4.2 US dollars per member had 60% lower odds (OR: 0.40, 95%CI: 0.19–0.82) of food insecurity. Household food insecurity was a predictor of Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women (MDD-W) (OR: 0.43, 95%CI: 0.21–0.89). Children whose female caregivers met MDD-W had 37 times higher odds (OR: 37.6, 95%CI: 13.9–117) of meeting the recommended dietary diversity score. To address food and nutrition security in this population, an approach that encompasses women’s empowerment and income diversification is required.

Women’s lived experience of intimate partner violence manifestations during the breastfeeding period: a lifeworld hermeneutic study

BackgroundOne in three women will experience Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). Exposure during breastfeeding endangers women’s and children’s health and wellbeing, negatively affects breastfeeding, and violates human rights and global sustainability goals. Previous qualitative studies have demonstrated that existential aspects are crucial in the separate experience of both IPV and breastfeeding. However, there is a lack of studies examining the meaning of the concurrent experience of these phenomena. An enhanced understanding of the experience of IPV manifestations during the breastfeeding period may inform the provision of care and support for women exposed to IPV. Accordingly, the study aims to explain and understand women’s lived experience of IPV manifestations during the breastfeeding period.MethodsThe study adopts a lifeworld hermeneutic approach based on Reflective Lifeworld Research. Data collection was conducted between June 2022 and August 2023. Swedish women with experience of the phenomenon IPV manifestations during the breastfeeding period participated either through written lifeworld stories (forty-nine women) or lifeworld interviews (nine women). Data were analysed interpretatively. The main interpretation was inspired by Liz Kelly’s theory ‘The continuum of violence’.ResultsThe results show that women experience IPV manifestations during breastfeeding in terms of being accused, devalued, neglected, controlled, opposed, forced to adapt, and/or punished. The main interpretation suggests that the manifestations are intertwined within a multidimensional continuum where the most frequent IPV manifestations are less commonly recognised as violence. The main interpretation further illustrates that the continuum is dependent on both the subjective lifeworld of the woman and the patriarchal context in which it exists. In relation to the patriarchal context, the breastfeeding intimacy within the mother–child dyad is pivotal to explaining and understanding the phenomenon.ConclusionsThe breastfeeding intimacy within the mother–child dyad seems to change the intersubjective power balance in the partner relationship and provoke partners, making breastfeeding women especially vulnerable to IPV. Knowledge of breastfeeding women’s lived experience of exposure to IPV is central for carers to strengthen their ability to support women’s health and wellbeing.

Cumulative maternal lifetime stress & child asthma: effect modification by BMI

Background Investigations of maternal psychosocial stress and child asthma have produced mixed findings, which may reflect inconsistent consideration of modifying factors. Objective To examine associations between maternal lifetime stress and child asthma, and to assess effect modification by maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index and race/ethnicity in a prenatal cohort of mother-child dyads. Methods Maternal lifetime stress was assessed using the Life Stressor Checklist-Revised, administered during pregnancy and child asthma was ascertained by parent-report in study follow-up visits. In the overall group and stratified by race/ethnicity, we used multivariable logistic regression and varying coefficient modeling to investigate the association between maternal stress and child asthma, assessing for effect modification by pre-pregnancy body mass index. Results Women were predominately Black (Black/Hispanic-Black 44.5%) or non-Black Hispanic (37.6%), with elevated pre-pregnancy body mass index (25.1% overweight, 29.8% obese); 17% of children had asthma. Higher maternal stress was associated with increased relative odds of child asthma only in dyads with women in the obese (≥30 kilograms/meters squared) category (odds ratio 1.84, 95% confidence interval 1.27-2.67). Varying coefficient models demonstrated stronger positive associations between increased maternal lifetime stress and child asthma in women with higher pre-pregnancy body mass index; the strongest association was observed in the Black group. Conclusion Maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index modified the association between maternal lifetime stress and child asthma. These findings underscore the need to consider complex interactions to fully elucidate intergenerational stress effects on early childhood asthma.

Sibling gender dynamics and childhood stunting in Ghana

BackgroundStunting remains a public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the evolving awareness of the effect of family composition on child health outcomes, the influence of sibling gender on stunting has seldom been consistent. The current study investigated the association between sibling composition and stunting among children under five years in Ghana.MethodsThis cross-sectional study utilized data from the most recent Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS 2022), focusing on 5416 mother-child dyads. Stunting prevalence was assessed through descriptive analysis, while logistic regression analysis was employed to examine the association between sibling composition and identify other risk factors associated with stunting.ResultsThe prevalence of stunting among children under five years of age was 18%. It was observed from the male sex-stratified model that having male siblings and having a combination of male and female siblings increased male children’s odds of being stunted. In contrast, having siblings of either gender or having a combination of male and female siblings may not pose any stunting threats to female children as observed in the female sex-stratified model. Furthermore, being a male child (OR: 1.54; 95% CI: 1.25, 1.90) and never being breastfed (OR: 2.07; 95% CI: 1.31, 3.21) increased children’s likelihood of stunting.ConclusionThis study concludes that the extra nutrients boys require for healthy growth and development may increase their competition for nutrients, especially in households with limited resource. Parents and guardians are advised to be consciously aware of the subtle and apparent competition between male children and take appropriate measures to prevent children’s deprivation of nutrition by their male siblings.

Intergenerational continuity of adverse childhood experiences among Mexican-origin families: Examination of intra and extra-familial adversities.

The effects of the intergenerational continuity of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on youth outcomes have been documented, particularly among mother-child dyads. Most literature has focused on the continuity of family-level ACEs (Traditional ACEs [T-ACEs]) and not community-level ACEs (Expanded ACEs [E-ACEs]) that disproportionately impact minoritized individuals. We aimed to (a) examine the effect of mothers' and fathers' T-ACEs and E-ACEs on youth's T-ACEs and E-ACEs, respectively, and on youth's depressive and anxiety symptoms; (b) examine whether youth's own ACE exposure explains the link between parental ACEs and youth depressive and anxiety symptoms; and (c) explore differential risks by mothers versus fathers. We collected cross-sectional data from a community sample of Mexican-origin youth (Mage, 13.5 years; 51.7% males; 93.0% US-born), mothers (Mage, 41.4 years; 7.2% US-born), and fathers (Mage, 44.0 years; 5.1% US-born) from the Seguimos Avanzando project (167 youth-mother-father triads, 177 youth-mother/father dyads). Results showed that (a) fathers', but not mothers', T-ACEs and E-ACEs were associated with youth's T-ACES and E-ACEs, respectively, (b) youth's T-ACEs explained the association between fathers' T-ACEs and youth's depressive symptoms, and (c) only youth's E-ACEs were associated with anxiety symptoms. These findings highlight the greater need to understand how fathers' childhood experiences may impact outcomes across generations and that targeting youth's ACEs can reduce the pervasive effects of intergenerational continuity of ACEs.

The moderating effect of maternal modeling on age-related decline in children's physical activity.

Maintaining adequate levels of physical activity is challenging for many children. Parents, particularly mothers, play a pivotal role in children's engagement in health behaviors. This longitudinal study investigated the moderating role of maternal physical activity-related modeling behaviors on the typical age-related decline in children's physical activity. A total of six waves of 1-week ecological momentary assessments were conducted with mother-child dyads (N = 202) of 8- to 12-year-old children. The results indicated that both maternal physical activity and physical activity in the presence of their child attenuated the typical decline in the children's physical activity over time. These findings underscore the importance of maternal physical activity-related behaviors in shaping children's physical activity habits over time. The discussion centers on the need to further explore the mechanisms underlying these moderation effects and outlines implications for interventions targeting children's physical activity. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

L’accompagnement de la relation mère-enfant lors d’un déni de grossesse total: point de vue des sages-femmes

Objectives: Total pregnancy denial is a phenomenon where the woman does not recognize her pregnancy until a late stage, sometimes just before childbirth. These complex situations raise many questions about the support of the mother-child dyad. This qualitative study aims to describe the experiences and strategies of midwives when dealing with cases of total pregnancy denial, as well as the relational dynamics within these particular dyads, in order to identify avenues for appropriate care.Methodology: Eight semi-structured interviews were conducted with midwives practicing in Île-de-France (hospital, private practice, home hospitalization, and maternal and child protection services). The data were analyzed using grounded theory with the help of the Quirkos software.Results: The midwives' experiences show that the mother-child relationship evolves favorably in most cases, even in anonymous childbirth situations. The results are organized into several themes: the description of the mother-child relationship, the proposed care approaches, and the midwives' experiences. For the first theme, five sub-themes emerged: maternal investment, psychological ambivalence, childbirth circumstances, the influence of the social environment, and maternal guilt. The second theme highlights the importance of multidisciplinary and personalized support, respecting the pace of the dyad.Conclusion: This study emphasizes the importance of not stigmatizing women in total pregnancy denial when establishing the mother-child bond. A personalized and gradual care approach, based on empathetic, non-judgmental, and multidisciplinary support, fosters the mother-child bond.

Children’s Emotion Regulation and Subjective Stress During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Intergenerational Perspective Among Racially and Economically Minoritized Mother-Child Dyads in the United States

Children’s Emotion Regulation and Subjective Stress During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Intergenerational Perspective Among Racially and Economically Minoritized Mother-Child Dyads in the United States

Parental warmth in mother-child dyads and children’s emotional adjustment during secondary-school transition: a longitudinal investigation on bidirectional relationships

AbstractThe transition from primary to secondary school affects children’s psychological functioning, necessitating resources for (post-)transition adaptation. Maternal warmth serves as a valuable resource, buffering against negative transition effects on emotional adjustment. Nevertheless, little is understood about the bidirectional effects of (divergent) mother-child reports on emotional adjustment during the transition to secondary school. Data from 2101 German children (48.8% female, Mage T1 = 8.57, SDage = 0.58) and their mothers (Mage T1 = 36.28, SDage = 4.49) from the pairfam panel, collected over seven annual waves from the children’s 3rd to 9th grades, were used. Random intercept cross-lagged panel models were employed to examine within-family cross-lagged effects. The findings suggest that early in the transition to secondary school, low levels of maternal warmth and heightened emotional problems in children tend to co-occur and mutually reinforce each other over time. However, discrepancies in perceptions between mothers and children appear to have positive normative consequences rather than enduring negative impacts on children, particularly before the transition to secondary school. The results are discussed considering the progressing school transition, with additional developmental changes, such as puberty, potentially leading to changes in perceived and actual maternal warmth and emotional problems in children.

“Fear for children”, Mother-Child Dyad and Future Mobility Trajectories of Displaced Ukrainians in Czechia and Poland: Children as a Factor for Fleeing and Living after the Full-Scale Invasion

This article addresses the issue of children’s care-receiving practices in the context of Ukrainian displacement in Czechia and Poland. Single mothers often need to care for their children alone, creating specific family power dynamics, especially in the setting of transnational reconfiguration, as fathers remain in Ukraine. This article aims to adopt the subjective bottom-up perception of connections associated with navigation in the new environment and shows that power dynamics is on the side of children as they are the dominant driver in the living arrangement in a new country and in the case of future mobility trajectories of the families. Using a qualitative methodology, drawing on 56 semi-structured interviews with Ukrainian displaced women in Czechia and Poland in 2023, this paper sheds light on the issue of family in the war situation. While studying the position of children in migration studies is not new, examining displaced family arrangements offers promising new insights into this topic. The focus on children will be provided from the perspective of Ukrainian female participants living in Czechia and Poland, using the concept of “doing family”.

Impact of healthy pregnancy and lifestyle in mothers on developmental delay in their offspring: a strength-based analysis of a longitudinal study among indigenous children in Australia

IntroductionExtensive literature has investigated the prenatal risk factors of developmental delay in children, with evidence highlighting the impact of prenatal health, mental health, and behavioural factors. While a deficit discourse has underscored Indigenous health research and policies, strengths-based approaches provide an opportunity to reframe this discourse, to illustrate and celebrate the strength and resilience of Australian Indigenous families. As such, this study aimed to identify the protective impact of healthy pregnancy and lifestyle in mothers on developmental delay in Indigenous Australian children; and whether it varies by child birthweight adjusted for gestational age. Further, we also tested whether child birthweight for adjusted gestational age mediates the association between a healthy pregnancy and lifestyle in mothers and developmental delay in their Indigenous offspring.MethodsStrength-based analysis was conducted using data from 8 longitudinal waves of LSIC study in Australia. Random-effect models were used to longitudinally measure the impact of maternal healthy pregnancy and lifestyle on developmental delays in their children between 2008 and 2018. A composite score (ranging from 0 to 3, score = 3 refers to most healthy pregnancy) was created for a healthy pregnancy and lifestyle variable using three criteria − (1) a lack of medical conditions, (2) no substance use including smoking/alcohol/illicit drugs, and (3) intake of iron/folic acid during pregnancy. All models were adjusted for potential covariates.ResultsOf the 780 mother-child dyads analysed, 65.4% of mothers reported healthy pregnancy and lifestyle; while 73.5% of children born with a recommended appropriate birthweight adjusted for gestational age, and 91.4% reported no developmental delays. In children born in the recommended range of appropriate birthweight adjusted for gestational age, healthy pregnancy in mothers (most healthy, aOR: 4.76, 95% CI: 1.12–20.18; and 2nd most healthy, aOR: 4.02, 95% CI: 1.09–14.83) was protective against development delay compared to maternal unhealthy pregnancy. Living in remote areas (vs. major city, and regional) was also found to be protective against developmental delay in those who were born within the recommended range of birthweight adjusted for gestational age. Further, the current study found that child birthweight for adjusted gestational age does not have any mediating effect on the association between healthy pregnancy in mothers and developmental delay in their children.ConclusionThis strengths-based study suggests healthy pregnancy in mothers should be advocated to prevent developmental delay in their offspring in the Australian Indigenous population. The findings also found living in remote areas has a protective effect against developmental delay in Indigenous children who born within the recommended range of birthweight adjusted for gestational age. These findings have implications for challenging and reframing the deficit discourse surrounding Indigenous Australian health research and policymaking. Further studies are needed to investigate the positive relationship between Indigenous Australians’ health and social and emotional well-being (SEWB) and their connection to their country and culture.

The association between exposure to a radio campaign on nutrition and mothers' nutrition- and health-related attitudes and minimal acceptable diet of children 6-36 months old: a quasi-experimental trial.

To evaluate the effectiveness of a radio campaign involving serial 10-minute drama episodes, 10-minute on air discussion of each episode by trained community health workers and 30-minute phone-ins from listeners in improving mothers' nutrition- and health-related attitudes (HNRAs) and children's minimum acceptable diet (MAD). A two-arm quasi-experimental trial with a pre-post design was used to quantify the effect of a radio campaign on nutrition before and immediately after the 6-month intervention. Difference-in-difference (DID) analysis was performed to assess the intervention's effect. Saboba district (intervention) and Central Gonja (comparison district) of northern region of Ghana. At baseline, a total of 598 mothers with children aged 6-22 months were randomly selected from the intervention (n 298) and control (n 300) districts. At endline (6 months post-intervention), 252 mother-child dyads in the intervention district and 275 mother-child dyads in the control district were followed up. The radio campaign was significantly and positively associated with a change in health- and nutrition-related attitudes (HNRA) over time, with DID in mean attitudes significantly improving more over time in the intervention district than the control (DID = 1·398, P < 0·001). Also, the prevalence of MAD over time in the intervention district was significantly higher than the control district (DID = 16·1 percentage points, P = 0·02) in the presence of food insecurity. The study indicates that a radio campaign on nutrition is associated with improved mothers' HNRA and children's MAD. Communication interventions on child nutrition targeting low-resource settings should consider this innovative approach.

Parenting with nutrition education and unconditional cash reduce maternal depressive symptoms and improve quality of life: findings from a cluster randomised controlled trial in urban Bangladesh

ABSTRACT Background Maternal post-natal depression is a global public health problem. Parenting interventions targeting children’s development may also bring benefits to mothers, but few parenting interventions have been studied thoroughly. Objectives The study aimed to measure the effect of a parenting intervention using culturally appropriate and locally made toys, along with nutrition education and unconditional cash, on maternal depressive symptoms (MDS) and quality of life (QoL). Methods The study was a cluster randomised controlled trial with two arms: i) intervention: parenting with nutrition education and unconditional cash and ii) comparison: unconditional cash in an urban setting in Bangladesh. Twenty clusters were randomised to either the intervention or control group. Community Health Workers (CHWs) delivered parenting and nutrition education sessions fortnightly in households for one year. The participants were mother-child (6–16 months) dyads. The MDS and QoL were measured using the Self-Reporting Questionnaire-20 and a brief version of the QoL questionnaire. Linear regression analysis was used to assess the treatment effects. Results After one year of intervention, 547 mothers (93%) completed the study. The mothers in the intervention group had lower MDS [Regression coefficient (β)=-1.53, Confidence interval (95% CI)=-2.28, −0.80] and higher QoL scores in physical health [β = 4.21 (95% CI = 1.71, 6.73)], psychological health [β = 3.14 (95% CI = 1.10, 5.19)], social relationships [β = 3.21 (95% CI = 0.76, 5.66)] and environment [β = 3.40 (95% CI = 1.37, 5.44)] compared with the comparison group. Conclusion Parenting interventions including nutrition education and unconditional cash, aimed at improving children’s development, resulted in a reduction in maternal depressive symptoms and improvement in quality of life.

Associations of prenatal arsenic exposure with myopia in primary school children: Modifying effects of vitamin D levels

The increasing role of environmental pollutants and nutrients in the development of myopia. Further longitudinal evidence is needed to elucidate the effects of early-life environmental pollutants on myopia and nutrients to protect against pollutant-induced myopia. We used mother-child dyads from the Ma'anshan Birth Cohort (n = 2028) to explore the modifying effects of maternal vitamin D status of prenatal and childhood arsenic exposure with refractive parameters and myopia. We measured serum or plasma arsenic concentrations during three trimesters, in cord blood, in childhood (5-year-old), and performed cycloplegic refraction in children aged 7–9 years (n = 1616). Primary outcomes were myopia and refractive parameters including axial length (AL), corneal radius of curvature, and spherical equivalent refraction error. Linear regression, logistic regression, and multiple informant models were performed for the association of prenatal and childhood arsenic exposure with vision health. Sex- and vitamin D status stratification analyses were also conducted. Cord serum arsenic was positively associated with AL (β = 0.15, 95%CI: 0.01, 0.29) and the risk of developing myopia (OR = 1.72, 95%CI: 1.07,， 2.75). Among boys, a 1 ng/L increase in cord serum log10-transformed arsenic resulted in larger AL and a higher risk of myopia. In the vitamin D deficient group (<20 ng/mL), cord serum arsenic showed positive associations with AL (0.26 [0.06, 0.46]) and the risk of myopia (1.99 [1.01, 3.90]). Late pregnancy arsenic exposure likely affects offspring development of myopia, especially in boys. Maternal sufficient vitamin D may confer protective effects against the development of myopia.

Natural Disasters as a Maternal Prenatal Stressor and Children's Neurodevelopment: A Systematic Review.

The intrauterine period is a time of high sensitivity in the development of the embryo and the fetus. Therefore, low levels of maternal stress are closely associated with healthy brain development in the neonatal and early childhood periods. There is increasing evidence linking natural disasters as prenatal maternal stress (PNMS) to neurodevelopmental disorders (including subclinical manifestations). Natural disasters involve many factors in addition to the trauma they cause, including loss and the physical and psychosocial difficulties that result from that trauma. This review article aims to bring together research findings on the neurodevelopmental effects of natural disasters on children as PNMS. It also looks at how factors such as gestational age and gender contribute to these effects. We conducted a systematic review on PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, with 30 studies meting the inclusion criteria. This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. A total of 1,327,886 mother-child dyads participated in the included studies. The results of the studies indicate that natural disasters have a negative impact on children's outcomes in terms of cognitive development, language development, autism/autism-like features, motor skills, performance in mathematics, mental development, sleep, attention, behavioral and emotional problems, and various psychiatric comorbidities.

Timing sensitivity of prenatal cortisol exposure and neurocognitive development.

Prenatal glucocorticoid exposure has been negatively associated with infant neurocognitive outcomes. However, questions about developmental timing effects across gestation remain. Participants were 253 mother-child dyads who participated in a prospective cohort study recruited in the first trimester of pregnancy. Diurnal cortisol was measured in maternal saliva samples collected across a single day within each trimester of pregnancy. Children (49.8% female) completed the Bayley Mental Development Scales, Third Edition at 6, 12, and 24 months and completed three observational executive function tasks at 24 months. Structural equation models adjusting for sociodemographic covariates were used to test study hypotheses. There was significant evidence for timing sensitivity. First-trimester diurnal cortisol (area under the curve) was negatively associated with cognitive and language development at 12 months and poorer inhibition at 24 months. Second-trimester cortisol exposure was negatively associated with language scores at 24 months. Third-trimester cortisol positively predicted performance in shifting between task rules (set shifting) at 24 months. Associations were not reliably moderated by child sex. Findings suggest that neurocognitive development is sensitive to prenatal glucocorticoid exposure as early as the first trimester and underscore the importance of assessing developmental timing in research on prenatal exposures for child health outcomes.

Sensory processing and child appetitive traits: findings from the ROLO longitudinal birth cohort study

BackgroundOral sensory hypersensitivity has been linked with fussy eating predominantly in non-typically developing children. We hypothesized that child ‘Oral’ (touch, smell and taste in the mouth) and ‘Social-Emotional’ (response to social expectations) sensory processing are associated with child appetitive traits in typically developing preteen children. Additionally, we explored relationships between maternal sensory profiles and their offspring’s sensory profile.MethodsThis is secondary analysis of 130 mother-child dyads from the 9–11-year-old follow-up of the ROLO longitudinal birth cohort study. The Dunn Sensory Profile (Adolescent/Adult) and the Dunn Child Sensory Profile 2 were used to assess maternal and child sensory profiles, respectively. The Children’s Eating Behaviour Questionnaire was used to assess child appetitive traits. Multiple linear regression examined associations between ‘Oral’ and ‘Social-Emotional’ segments of the child sensory profile and child appetitive traits. Associations between maternal and child sensory profiles were examined using sensory profile quadrants (Dunn’s sensory processing framework). These refer to four distinct patterns of sensory processing that indicate how an individual responds to sensory input.ResultsIn total, 130 mother-child dyads were included. In adjusted analysis child ‘Oral’ sensory processing was associated with higher mean scores in the appetitive traits ‘Desire to Drink’ (B = 0.044, 95% CI = 0.025,0.062) and ‘Food Fussiness’ (B = 0.080, 95% CI = 0.059,0.101) and with lower mean scores in ‘Enjoyment of Food’ (B=-0.038, 95% CI -0.055,-0.022). Child ‘Social-Emotional’ responses were associated with higher mean scores in ‘Desire to Drink’ and ‘Food Fussiness’. Higher scores in the maternal sensory profile quadrants of ‘Sensitivity’, ‘Avoiding’ and ‘Registration’ were positively associated with higher scores in the corresponding child sensory profile quadrants.ConclusionOur findings suggest that in typically developing children presenting with fussy eating, oral sensory hypersensitivity and higher scores in social-emotional responses to sensory processing may be an underlying determinant. The relationship observed between ‘Oral’ and ‘Social-Emotional’ sensory processing segments and ‘Desire to Drink’ requires further research to ascertain the type of drinks being consumed and how this impacts appetite. Further research is also required to explore the influence of maternal sensory profile on their offsprings response to sensory input.

Does food selectivity drive differences in dietary resemblance between children with intellectual disabilities and typical development?

Although children's dietary intake often resembles that of their parents', dietary resemblance has not been examined among children with intellectual disabilities (ID), where food selectivity is a common parental concern. We compared dietary resemblance in children with typical development (TD), ID, and ID and co-occurring autism (ID + A) in parent-child dyads, and examined whether child food selectivity mediated between-group differences. Dietary data from parents and their children (3–8 years, male = 61.8%, TD = 52.9%, ID = 18.6%, ID + A = 28.4%) were analyzed as mother-child (n = 100) and father-child (n = 70) dyads. Dietary resemblance was operationalized as the proportion of foods that were reported as eaten/not eaten by both parent and child in parent-completed Food Frequency Questionnaires. Food refusal rate was used to capture food selectivity (total foods children would not eat/total foods offered). Among mother-child dyads, dietary resemblance did not differ between children with ID compared to TD (P = 0.243). Among father-child dyads, dietary resemblance was 10% lower in children with ID than TD (66.4% vs. 74.1%, P = 0.032), and the difference was partially explained (mediated) by food refusal. Among mother-child dyads, dietary resemblance was 19% lower among children with ID + A than TD (61.5% vs. 75.6%, P = 0.001), and the difference was completely explained by food refusal. Among father-child dyads, dietary resemblance was 22% lower among children with ID + A than TD (57.9% vs. 74.1%, P < 0.001), and the difference was completely explained by food refusal. Subanalyses by food groups produced similar results. Compared to TD children, dietary resemblance was lower in children with ID + A, but not children with ID, and differences were explained by food selectivity. Our findings suggest parents of children with ID + A may have less influence over their child's dietary intake than parents of children with ID or TD.

Placental methylation and pro-inflammatory protein levels in cord blood

IntroductionThe neonates’ inflammatory response may in part be shaped during development by the placental epigenome, but evidence is scarce. We investigated the association between placental DNA methylation and pro-inflammatory proteins in cord blood. MethodsA total of 249 mother-child dyads from the Harvard Epigenetic Birth Cohort were included in this study. Genome-wide methylation in placental DNA was assessed using the Illumina Human Methylation 450 Bead Chip array and verified by pyrosequencing. Cord blood inflammation markers assessed were interleukin-6, interleukin-8 and tumor necrosis factor α, intercellular adhesion molecule 1, serum amyloid A, and C-reactive protein. ResultsWe identified differential placental DNA methylation of three loci in the HIVEP3 gene shore region that were associated with TNFα protein levels in cord blood. TNFα levels were associated with mode of delivery, gestational age and birth order. Three other loci located in the open sea region of the BCL11B gene were associated with SAA protein levels in cord blood. SAA levels were associated with birthweight, gestational age, and infant sex. ConclusionsOur results suggest a potential role for HIVEP3 and BCL11B placental DNA methylation in the acute immune response of the neonate. These immune markers were correlated with several mother and child characteristics.