Primary Scale Research Articles

The effect of administration of green coconut (Cocos nucifera Linn Viridis Variety) water on reducing dysmenorrhea primary for teenage women in class X at State High School 1 Deli Tua Year 2024

Primary Dysmenorrhea is menstrual pain that occurs in teenagers, which is usually not associated with other diseases. According to WHO, in 2018 the incidence of primary dysmenorrhoea was very high in the world. On average, more than 50% of women in each country experience primary dysmenorrhoea. One way to treat primary dysmenorrhoea is non-pharmacological therapy, namely using green coconut water. Green coconut water contains calcium and magnesium which can reduce muscle tension. Vitamin C, which is a natural anti-inflammatory, relieves menstrual pain by inhibiting the cyclooxygenase enzyme which plays a role in the process of forming prostaglandins. This study aims to determine the effect of giving green coconut water on reducing primary dysmenorrhoea in adolescent girls. The research will be carried out at SMA Negeri 1 Deli Tua starting in April-May 2024. The research design uses a quasi-experiment method with one group pretest -posttest design. The sample in this study consisted of 22 respondents who were given green coconut water using a purposive sampling technique. The primary data used in this research was an observation sheet on the primary dysmenorrhoea pain scale before and after being given green coconut water as a research instrument. Based on the results of bivariate analysis using the Chi Square test, it shows that the p-value is 0.000. So it can be concluded that p <0.005, which means there is an effect of giving green coconut water on reducing primary dysmenorrhoea in young women.

The associations between gut microbiota and fecal metabolites with intelligence quotient in preschoolers

BackgroundThe awareness of the association between the gut microbiota and human intelligence levels is increasing, but the findings are inconsistent. Furthermore, few research have explored the potential role of gut microbial metabolites in this association. This study aimed to investigate the associations of the gut microbiota and fecal metabolome with intelligence quotient (IQ) in preschoolers.MethodsThe 16 S rRNA sequencing and widely targeted metabolomics were applied to analyze the gut microbiota and fecal metabolites of 150 children aged 3–6 years. The Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV) was used to assess the cognitive competence.ResultsThe observed species index, gut microbiome health index, and microbial dysbiosis index presented significant differences between children with full-scale IQ (FSIQ) below the borderline (G1) and those with average or above-average (all P < 0.05). The abundance of Acinetobacter, Blautia, Faecalibacterium, Prevotella_9, Subdoligranulum, Collinsella, Dialister, Holdemanella, and Methanobrevibacter was significantly associated with preschooler’s WPPSI-IV scores (P < 0.05). In all, 87 differential metabolites were identified, mainly including amino acid and its metabolites, fatty acyl, and benzene and substituted derivatives. The differential fecal metabolites carnitine C20:1-OH, 4-hydroxydebrisoquine, pantothenol, creatine, N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl) dodecanamide, FFA(20:5), zerumbone, (R)-(-)-2-phenylpropionic acid, M-toluene acetic acid, trans-cinnamaldehyde, isonicotinic acid, val-arg, traumatin, and 3-methyl-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde were significantly associated with the preschooler’s WPPSI-IV scores (P < 0.05). The combination of Acinetobacter, Isonicotinic acid, and 3-methyl-4-hydroxybenzaldehydenine may demonstrate increased discriminatory power for preschoolers in G1.ConclusionThis study reveals a potential association between gut microbiome and metabolites with IQ in preschoolers, providing new directions for future research and practical applications. However, due to limitations such as the small sample size, unclear causality, and the complexity of metabolites, more validation studies are still needed to further elucidate the mechanisms and stability of these associations.

Uncovering data gaps in biodiversity research within Brazilian Atlantic Forest restoration

Bringing together and synthesizing data from several primary studies and scales represents a powerful method for identifying patterns and gaps within forest restoration science. In this study, we employ a pioneer quantitative database‐driven review combined with spatial analysis to delineate research trends across biodiversity studies within the Brazilian Atlantic Forest (BAF). We gathered a total of 90 primary studies that met our inclusion criteria, collectively providing 822 observations (comparisons between restoration sites and reference forests) spanning restoration areas with ages ranging from 1 to 90 years old. Vascular plants and invertebrates dominated in terms of data availability, whereas soil microorganisms were the subject of limited inquiry. There is an evident disparity in the number of evidences for different forest types across regions, with mixed forest being underrepresented in relation to seasonal forest and dense forest (rainforest). On the contrary, we observed an even distribution of biodiversity outcomes across the age categories we defined for reference forests (i.e. secondary forest, secondary advanced, and old‐growth forest). Geospatial analysis revealed a concentration of research efforts within the southeastern region of the BAF. However, a significant research deficit remains for the northeast and south regions, crucial for comprehending biodiversity responses to restoration in environmental extremes. By integrating both qualitative and quantitative approaches, this framework review provides a roadmap for deepening our understanding of biodiversity responses to restoration in the BAF. Ultimately, it serves as a bridge between quantitative findings and nuanced contextual insights, guiding future research and similar studies across diverse ecosystems worldwide.

Associations between physical activity and development in preschool-aged children born

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of physical activity (PA) on development (motor, cognitive, social-emotional) in children 4–5 years old born <30 weeks’ gestation, and to describe subgroups of children at risk...

For growth or equity: a taxonomy of ‘Bidenomics’ place-based policies and implications for US regional inequality

ABSTRACT Emerging US place-based policies aim to maintain US competitiveness and address widening regional inequalities simultaneously. However, scholarly debates question whether such logics can be reconciled within place-based policy agendas. This article identifies 33 place-based policies in recent US legislation and categorises each across a novel four-part policy taxonomy. Using multimethod qualitative analysis the study classifies programmes by primary strategic intent (growth or equity) and by primary scale of focus (regional or national). It contributes to regional policy debates by describing emerging US place-based policy designs in detail, and by estimating implications of the US’s place-based policy resurgence for long-run regional inequalities.

The relationship between the ages and stages questionnaire, 3rd edition scores in early childhood and future cognitive abilities in young Nepalese children

BackgroundThe Ages and Stages Questionnaire 3rd edition (ASQ-3) could be a feasible tool in resource-poor settings. Little is known on the relationship between scores on the ASQ-3 and later intellectual abilities in these settings.AimsTo examine the relationship between ASQ-3 scores during the first and second year of life and intellectual abilities at 4 years of age in Nepalese children.MethodsIn a cohort of 600 children at-risk of stunting, the ASQ-3 was performed at 6–11 and 18–23 months, and the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scales of Intelligence, fourth edition (WPPSI-IV) at 4 years. We examined the relationship between the ASQ-3 scores and WPPSI-IV full scale IQ (FSIQ) using Spearman correlation coefficients and linear regression models.ResultsCorrelations between ASQ-3 total scores and FSIQ was 0.17 (95% CI 0.07, 0.27) at 6–11 and 0.34 (95% CI 0.26, 0.44) at 18–23 months explaining 2 and 12% of the variance respectively. Except for the communication subscale at 18–23 months with moderate correlations, correlations between the ASQ-3 subscales and FSIQ were weak.ConclusionOur findings suggest a modest relationship between ASQ-3 scores in early childhood and intellectual abilities at 4 years.

Behavioral observation and assessment protocol for language and social-emotional development study in children aged 0–6: the Chinese baby connectome project

BackgroundThe global rise in developmental delays underscores the critical need for a thorough understanding and timely interventions during early childhood. Addressing this issue, the Chinese Baby Connectome Project (CBCP)’s behavior branch is dedicated to examining language acquisition, social-emotional development, and environmental factors affecting Chinese children. The research framework is built around three primary objectives: developing a 0–6 Child Development Assessment Toolkit, implementing an Intelligent Coding System, and investigating environmental influence.MethodsUtilizing an accelerated longitudinal design, the CBCP aims to enlist a minimum of 1000 typically developing Chinese children aged 0–6. The data collected in this branch constitutes parental questionnaires, behavioral assessments, and observational experiments to capture their developmental milestones and environmental influences holistically. The parental questionnaires will gauge children’s developmental levels in language and social-emotional domains, alongside parental mental well-being, life events, parenting stress, parenting styles, and family relationships. Behavioral assessments will involve neurofunctional developmental evaluations using tools such as the Griffiths Development Scales and Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence. Additionally, the assessments will encompass measuring children’s executive functions (e.g., Head-Toe-Knee-Shoulder), social cognitive abilities (e.g., theory of mind), and language development (e.g., Early Chinese Vocabulary Test). A series of behavior observation. experiments will be conducted targeting children of different age groups, focusing primarily on aspects such as behavioral inhibition, compliance, self-control, and social-emotional regulation. To achieve the objectives, established international questionnaires will be adapted to suit local contexts and devise customized metrics for evaluating children’s language and social-emotional development; deep learning algorithms will be developed in the observational experiments to enable automated behavioral analysis; and statistical models will be built to factor in various environmental variables to comprehensively outline developmental trajectories and relationships.DiscussionThis study’s integration of diverse assessments and AI technology will offer a detailed analysis of early childhood development in China, particularly in the realms of language acquisition and social-emotional skills. The development of a comprehensive assessment toolkit and coding system will enhance our ability to understand and support the development of Chinese children, contributing significantly to the field of early childhood development research.Trial registrationThis study was registered with clinicaltrials.gov NCT05040542 on September 10, 2021.

Effects of EEG-Neurofeedback in children with Down syndrome

Background. Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic disorder characterized by varying degrees of mental retardation and neurological complications. Children with DS often experience difficulties with attention, concentration, learning, memory, speech, language, behavior, and physical balance. Methods. This study included 11 children with DS and 10 children with ADHD, aged 6 to 10 years who received treatment at the private clinic “Neyromed Servis” in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Cognitive functions were analyzed by using Electroencephalography-neurofeedback (EEG-NFB) and the Forbrain headsets. The Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence and Schulte table were used to assess the effectiveness of non-drug treatment. Results. The utilization of Forbrain headsets enhanced children’s attentiveness as listeners and improved the quality of their voice and speaking. Positive changes in EEG parameters were also registered: theta wave amplitude and theta-tobeta ratio in the frontal lobes decreased significantly. Conclusion. EEG-NFB treatment significantly improved cognitive function, particularly attention, without any side effects in observed children. Moreover, impulsivity as well as hyperactivity decreased gradually. Additionally, after using of the Forbrain method, vocabulary in children improved by 20-40% across all groups.

The Affective Neuroscience Personality Scales (ANPS) in Slovenia: Validation of the Six Primary Scales Across Three ANPS Versions

Abstract To assess primary emotions in subcortical brain regions across all mammals, the affective neuroscience personality scales (ANPS) were created for use in research involving human subjects. Later revisions of the scales have been validated across many countries and are used in diverse fields of psychology. The ANPS revisions culminated in the most recent ANPS 3.1. In this study, we evaluated the psychometric properties of the ANPS 3.1 and its two abbreviated versions (affective neuroscience personality scales – brief (BANPS) and affective neuroscience personality scales – short version (ANPS-S)) in a Slovenian community sample of 502 young adults. We simultaneously examined several kinds of validity evidence across the three versions: construct validity, internal reliability, and convergent validity. Our findings revealed acceptable construct validity of the six-factor model of the BANPS that was superior to the ANPS-S and particularly to the ANPS 3.1. The latter exhibited incremental fit issues noted in previous versions. However, we revealed sufficient internal reliability and convergent validity of the scale scores against the Big Five personality traits, and the frequency of the participants’ recently felt positive and negative emotions across all three ANPS versions. Testing the measurement invariance of BANPS across sex suggested full metric invariance and partial scalar invariance which allows direct score comparisons between males and females.

Association between subcortical nuclei volume changes and cognition in preschool-aged children with tetralogy of Fallot after corrective surgery: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundNeurocognitive disorders frequently occur in patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD) because of the hemodynamic abnormalities induced by preoperative cardiac structural changes. We aimed to evaluate subcortical nuclei volume changes and cognition in postoperative tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) children, and analyze their relationship with preoperative cardiac structural changes.MethodsThis case-control study involved thirty-six children with repaired TOF and twenty-nine healthy controls (HCs). We utilized three-dimensional (3D) T1-weighted high-resolution structural images alongside the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV) to evaluate the cognitive differences between the TOF and HC group.ResultsWe observed notable differences in subcortical nuclei volume between the TOF and HC group, specifically in the left amygdala nucleus (LAM, TOF: 1292.60 ± 155.57; HC: 1436.27 ± 140.62, p < 0.001), left thalamus proper nucleus (LTHA, TOF: 6771.54 ± 666.03; HC: 7435.36 ± 532.84, p < 0.001), and right thalamus proper nucleus (RTHA, TOF: 6514.61 ± 715.23; HC: 7162.94 ± 554.60, p < 0.001). Furthermore, a diminished integrity of LAM ( β:-19.828, 95% CI: -36.462, -3.193), which showed an inverse relationship with the size of the preoperative ventricular septal defect (VSD), correlated with lower working memory indices in children with TOF.ConclusionsOur findings indicate that subcortical nuclei structural injuries possibly potentially stemming from cardiac anatomical abnormalities, are associated with impaired working memory in preschool-aged children with TOF. The LAM in particular may serve as a potential biomarker for neurocognitive deficits in TOF, offering predictive value for future neurodevelopmental outcomes, and shedding light on the neurophysiological mechanisms of these cognitive impairments.

The association between perinatal depressive symptoms and child neurodevelopment

BackgroundPerinatal depression has been suggested to adversely impact child neurodevelopment. However, the complexity of the early childhood environment challenges conclusive findings. ObjectiveTo evaluate whether there is an association between perinatal depressive symptoms and child intelligence quotient (IQ) at 5 years of age. Study DesignSecondary analysis of an ancillary study to a multicenter randomized trial of thyroxine therapy for pregnant individuals with subclinical hypothyroidism. Dyads of infants and birthing parent, with completed Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D) screens during pregnancy and postpartum and child neurodevelopment testing completed at five years of age (n=209) were included. CES-D screening was performed at 11–20 weeks, 34–38 weeks, and one-year postpartum. Depressive symptoms were categorized as antenatal (i.e., a positive screen at any point during pregnancy) or postpartum. The primary outcome was child IQ score < 85 at 5 years of age using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence III (WPPSI-III) Full Scale test. Secondary outcomes included other assessments of childhood neurodevelopment. Bivariable analyses and multivariable logistic regressions were utilized. ResultsOf the 209 birthing people included, 72 (34%) screened positive for depression during pregnancy and 32 (15%) screened positive one year postpartum. Children born to individuals with a positive antenatal depression screen had a higher odds of IQ < 85 at 5 years of age compared with children born to individuals with a CES-D < 16 (35% vs. 18%, OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.2–4.7). Similar findings were seen for children born to individuals with a positive postpartum depression screen (47% vs. 21%, OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.5–7.3). These associations did not persist in multivariable analyses that controlled for social determinants of health and clinical characteristics (adjusted odd ratio [aOR] 1.4, 95% CI 0.7–3.1; aOR 2.1, 95% CI 0.9–5.1, for antenatal and postpartum depressive symptoms, respectively). Similar findings were observed for other adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. ConclusionsHaving a positive perinatal depression screen was not associated with child cognitive outcomes after controlling for covariates including social determinants of health.

Characteristics of Speech Auditory Brainstem Response in Preschool Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of auditory processing (AP) in preschool children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) using the speech auditory brainstem response (speech-ABR), which provides insights into the AP of speech signals in the central auditory nervous system (CANS). A total of 84 preschool children diagnosed with ADHD, aged 4-6 years, were matched with 84 typically developing (TD) children based on gender and age. All children underwent speech-ABR testing, cognitive assessment using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Fourth Edition or the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition, and a continuous performance test. Children with ADHD exhibited significantly longer latencies of speech-ABR waveforms V, A, and D compared to TD children. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the latencies of speech-ABR waves V, A, and D were affected by the presence of ADHD, but not by the full-scale intelligence quotient. This study revealed that preschool children with ADHD exhibited abnormal AP of speech signals in their CANS. The findings suggest that speech-ABR can be utilized as a reliable measure to evaluate AP ability in this population, as it remains unaffected by cognitive or attentional factors. The transient response (V, A) of speech-ABR was found to be a significant predictor of ADHD in a clinical setting. Early assessment of AP abnormalities via speech-ABR is recommended in preschool-age children to develop targeted interventions for ADHD. https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.26376502.

Abstract P347: Association between Blood Pressure, Left Ventricular Structure and Cognitive Function: Evidence from a Cohort Study in Preschool-aged Children

Objective: Serving as a common hypertensive target organ damage, left ventricular (LV) structure alteration has been found to be associated with cognition decline in the elderly. However, its mediating role in the association between decreased cognitive function and elevated blood pressure (BP) remains controversial, owing to several inherent confounder in adults that could distort observed associations. The study was first known conducted to examine the association between LV structure, BP and cognitive function in preschool-aged children, a population without disturbance of various cardiovascular risk factors. Methods: This study included 1279 children from Shanghai Birth Cohort (SBC) during 2018 to 2021. Using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scales of Intelligence-Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV), children’s intelligence quotient (IQ) was evaluated at 4-year-old. Detailed anthropometrics and BP measurements and echocardiography were conducted during follow-up. Multivariable linear regression models and restricted cubic spline were applied to estimate the association between individual BP, LV structure parameters and IQ scores. Results: There was no significant association found between cognitive function and LV structure in preschool-aged children, while higher BP levels was found to be correlated with lower scores in cognitive function. Children in the elevated BP and non-LVH group tended to have lower full-scale IQ (FSIQ). In detail, children with elevated BP tended to have lower scores in FSIQ (β: -2.95, 95%CI: -4.65, -1.25), processing speed index (β: -1.77, 95%CI: -3.41, -0.14), working memory index (β: -2.79, 95%CI: -4.70, -0.88) and visual spatial index (β: -2.64, 95%CI: -4.74, -0.55), and these associations were independent of LV structure. Conclusion: Higher BP levels was related to poor cognitive development during childhood as early as four, while LV structure alteration was not. The associations between BP and children’s decreased cognitive function was independent of LV structure.

Reliability and consistency of the Japanese version of the Primary Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale

BackgroundPrimary lateral sclerosis (PLS) is an extremely rare condition; therefore, to date no clinical studies have been conducted. The Primary Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale (PLSFRS) was developed in the United States of America. The PLSFRS is a crucial assessment scale for international collaborative research and future clinical trials for PLS. It is useful for evaluating medical conditions through face-to-face assessments and telephone interviews such as when a face-to-face assessment is not possible due to disasters or the burden of hospital visits. This study assessed the reliability and consistency of in-person and telephone interviews using the Japanese version of the PLSFRS.MethodsWe enrolled 19 Japanese patients who met the specific criteria for inclusion at the six collaborating institutions. The PLSFRS assessments were performed by two evaluators at defined time points and analyzed for intra-rater and inter-rater reliability and consistency between the in-person and telephone interviews.ResultsThe Japanese version of the PLSFRS was developed by a specialized company and translator, and modified to consider the Japanese lifestyle through a consensus among motor neuron specialists. The quadratic-weighted kappa coefficients for the intra-rater and the inter-rater agreement were substantial (intra-rater: 0.691-1.000, inter-rater: 0.634-1.000). Moreover, the intraclass correlation coefficient for the PLSFRS total score was 0.997 (95% confidence interval, 0.992–0.999).ConclusionsThis study provides results regarding the Japanese version of the PLSFRS intra-rater and inter-rater reliability and consistency between in-person and telephone interviews.

Feasibility and success of a non-sedated brain MRI training protocol in 7-year-old children from rural and semi-rural Colombia.

Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a crucial tool for clinical evaluation of the brain and neuroscience research. Obtaining successful non-sedated MRI in children who live in resource-limited settings may be an additional challenge. To present a feasibility study of a novel, low-cost MRI training protocol used in a clinical research study in a rural/semi-rural region of Colombia and to examine neurodevelopmental factors associated with successful scans. Fifty-seven typically developing Colombian children underwent a training protocol and non-sedated brain MRI at age 7. Group training utilized a customized booklet, an MRI toy set, and a simple mock scanner. Children attended MRI visits in small groups of two to three. Resting-state functional and structural images were acquired on a 1.5-Tesla scanner with a protocol duration of 30-40minutes. MRI success was defined as the completion of all sequences and no more than mild motion artifact. Associations between the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI), Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC), Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF), Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), and Adaptive Behavior Assessment System (ABAS) scores and MRI success were analyzed. Mean (SD) age at first MRI attempt was 7.2 (0.2) years (median 7.2 years, interquartile range 7.1-7.3 years). Twenty-six (45.6%) participants were male. Fifty-one (89.5%) children were successful across two attempts; 44 (77.2%) were successful on their first attempt. Six (10.5%) were unsuccessful due to refusal or excessive motion. Age, sex, and scores across all neurodevelopmental assessments (MABC, TVIP, ABAS, BRIEF, CBCL, NIH Toolbox Flanker, NIH Toolbox Pattern Comparison, WPPSI) were not associated with likelihood of MRI success (P=0.18, 0.19, 0.38, 0.92, 0.84, 0.80, 1.00, 0.16, 0.75, 0.86, respectively). This cohort of children from a rural/semi-rural region of Colombia demonstrated comparable MRI success rates to other published cohorts after completing a low-cost MRI familiarization training protocol suitable for low-resource settings. Achieving non-sedated MRI success in children in low-resource and international settings is important for the continuing diversification of pediatric research studies.

A novel multi-scale fractional-order Bernoulli grey model and its application on primary school scale prediction

Primary education plays an important role in the whole educational structure. The prediction of the development scale of primary schools is of great significance to the optimal allocation of educational resources by education departments. The paper introduces a novel multi-scale fractional-order Bernoulli grey model by combining a local cumulative operator with a global cumulative operator, abbreviated as MFGM. First, a nonlinear grey Bernoulli model based on conformable fractional derivative is proposed, where a hybrid accumulation is presented. Then, the MFGM parameters are obtained by an PSO optimizer, which are adaptive to data sets. Finally, the proposed model is validated and used to predict the scale of primary school scale. Experimental results show that the MFGM is superior to the other grey models and machine learning models in the fitting and testing primary school scale. The prediction results contribute to the decision-making of education sectors.

Relations between Neurocognitive Function and Visual Acuity: A Cross-Sessional Study in a Cohort of Premature Children.

Premature children with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) have been reported to an have increased risk of visual and neurocognitive impairments, yet little is known about whether vision could affect specific neurocognition. This study aimed to clarify the correlations between neurocognition and vision in premature children. This is a nonrandomized, cross-sectional, observational study in a pediatric cohort with five groups: (1) full-term (n = 25), (2) prematurity without ROP (n = 154), (3) prematurity with ROP but without treatment (n = 39), (4) prematurity with ROP and with bevacizumab (IVB) treatment (n = 62), and (5) prematurity with ROP and with laser/laser + IVB treatment (n = 20). Neurocognitive function was evaluated by the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV) around the age of 4 years. Visual acuity (VA) and refractive errors were tested. Correlations between WPPSI parameters and visual outcomes were analyzed across five groups. Among the 300 recruited children (mean age = 4.02 + 0.97 years, male = 56.3%), 297 were assessed by WPPSI-IV and 142 were assessed by vision tests. The Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ) index was worse in the premature groups. After adjusting for covariates, seven items, including FSIQ-Index (p = 0.047), fluid-reasoning index (p = 0.004), FR-percentile ranking (p = 0.008), object assembly (p = 0.034), picture concept (p = 0.034), zoo locations (p = 0.014) and bug search (p = 0.020), showed significant differences between groups. The better the best corrected VA (BCVA), the higher the scores on Verbal Comprehension Index (VCI), VCI-PR, and the subtest of information. Specific cognitive dysfunctions are related to the BCVA in this large cohort. Subtest performance profiles in WPPSI can be affected by prematurity, ROP treatment, and different ROP treatment. FSIQ is generally lower in premature children and even lower in children with ROP.

Experiencing anesthesia and surgery early in life impairs cognitive and behavioral development.

The impact of anesthesia and surgery on neurocognitive and behavioral development in infants and children remains inadequately understood. To investigate the impact of early-life exposure to general anesthesia and surgery on cognitive and behavioral development. Children aged 0-3 years who underwent general anesthesia and surgical procedures between 2012 and 2015 were included. The cognitive and behavioral development of these children at ages 4-6 years was assessed. Age-, race-, and gender-matched children from the same geographic region, who did not undergo general anesthesia or surgery, served as the control group. The Wechsler Preschool Primary Scale of Intelligence, Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV) was used to evaluate children's total intelligence quotient (FSIQ) and specific cognitive domains. The Gesell Development Schedules (GSCH) and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) were employed to assess behavioral and personality development. Additionally, the study analyzed the effects of various factors including anesthesia drugs, surgery duration, number of surgeries, age, weight, ethnicity, and gender on postoperative neurocognitive and behavioral outcomes. The study included 447 children with anesthesia/surgical exposure (AS) and 459 children in the control group. Analysis of cognitive and behavioral development showed a significant difference in the working memory index (WMI) between the AS and control groups (p < 0.05). Exploratory findings indicated that children administered remifentanil exhibited lower developmental quotient (DQ) values, whereas those given fentanyl showed higher (worse) Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) total scores. Moreover, increased anesthesia/surgical exposures, younger age and lower body weight at exposure, and longer surgery durations were associated with cognitive and behavioral developmental challenges. This study examined the impact of early-life exposure to surgery and anesthesia on postoperative cognitive and behavioral development. Findings indicate that higher frequency of exposure to surgery and anesthesia, younger age, and lower body weight at exposure could negatively influence cognitive and behavioral development. Furthermore, variations in the effects of different anesthetics on behavior and cognition were observed. Caution is advised regarding the use of opioid analgesics such as remifentanil and fentanyl for more rigorous clinical applications.

Effects of Breastfeeding on Cognitive Abilities at 4 Years Old: Cohort Study

AbstractHuman breast milk dynamically adapts to meet the needs of healthy neurodevelopment. While a great deal of research has examined the relationship between breastfeeding, infant cognitive development and IQ, findings are inconclusive when potential confounders are adjusted for. This raises questions about the various ways in which breastfeeding and other crucial factors can impact on infant IQ and cognitive abilities. The main aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between breastfeeding and child IQ and cognitive abilities after adjusting for sociodemographic, perinatal and postnatal variables. The participants were 613 boys and girls aged 4–5 years old from two cohort studies carried out in Tarragona, Spain. IQ and cognitive abilities were assessed using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-IV (WPPSI-IV). Sociodemographic, prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal factors were collected. Descriptive analyses compared mother and infant characteristics by breastfeeding categories using Chi-squared and ANOVA tests. Regression models explored associations between breastfeeding duration and WPPSI-IV indexes. Breastfeeding from 1 to 8 months was related to higher scores on the Full-Scale IQ (b = 3.909, p = 0.035) and Working Memory Index (b = 3.757, p = 0.044), Non-Verbal Index (b = 4.184, p = 0.029), Cognitive Proficiency Index (b = 4.015, p = 0.038) at 4–5 years old, even after adjusting for the mother’s IQ and mother-infant attachment difficulties. Our study emphasizes the numerous advantages of breastfeeding and underscores the importance of infants being breastfed through healthcare and health policies. Advocating breastfeeding for the first six months of life is crucial for enhancing lifelong well-being and cognitive development in children.

Early nutritional influences on brain regions related to processing speed in children born preterm: A secondary analysis of a randomized trial.

Processing speed is a foundational skill supporting intelligence and executive function, areas often delayed in preterm-born children. The impact of early-life nutrition on gray matter facilitating processing speed for this vulnerable population is unknown. Magnetic resonance imaging and the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-IV Processing Speed Index were acquired in forty 5-year-old children born preterm with very low birth weight. Macronutrient (grams per kilogram per day) and mother's milk (percentage of feeds) intakes were prospectively collected in the first postnatal month and associations between early-life nutrition and the primary outcome of brain regions supporting processing speed were investigated. Children had a mean (SD) gestational age of 27.8 (1.8) weeks and 45% were male. Macronutrient intakes were unrelated, but mother's milk was positively related, to greater volumes in brain regions, including total cortical gray matter, cingulate gyri, and occipital gyri. First postnatal month macronutrient intakes showed no association, but mother's milk was positively associated, with volumetric measures of total and regional cortical gray matter related to processing speed in preterm-born children. This exploratory analysis suggests early-life mother's milk supports processing speed by impacting structural underpinnings. Further research is needed on this potential strategy to improve preterm outcomes.