Problem-solving Domains Research Articles

Indoor air pollution exposure and early childhood development in the Upstate KIDS Study

BackgroundLimited human studies have investigated the impact of indoor air pollution on early childhood neurodevelopment among the US population. We aimed to examine the associations between prenatal and postnatal indoor air pollution exposure and early childhood development in a population-based birth cohort. MethodsThis analysis included 4735 mother-child pairs enrolled between 2008 and 2010 in the Upstate KIDS Study. Indoor air pollution exposure from cooking fuels, heating fuels, and passive smoke during pregnancy, and at 12 and 36 months after birth were assessed by questionnaires. Five domains of child development were assessed by the Ages and Stages Questionnaire at 4, 8, 12, 18, 24, 30, and 36 months. Generalized estimating equations were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusting for potential confounders. ResultsExposure to unclean cooking fuels (natural gas, propane, or wood) throughout the study period was associated with increased odds of failing any development domain (OR = 1.28, 95% CI 1.07, 1.53), the gross motor domain (OR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.09, 2.13), and the personal-social domain (OR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.85), respectively. Passive smoke exposure throughout the study period increased the odds of failing the problem-solving domain by 71% (OR = 1.71, 95% CI 1.01, 2.91) among children of non-smoking mothers. No association was found between heating fuel use and failing any or specific domains. ConclusionUnclean cooking fuel use and passive smoke exposure during pregnancy and early life were associated with developmental delays in this large prospective birth cohort.

Social problem-solving and suicidal behavior in adolescent girls: A prospective examination of proximal and distal social stress-related risk factors.

Adverse social experiences are often linked to suicidal behavior in adolescence, perhaps particularly for girls. Social problem-solving abilities may indicate more or less adaptive responses to adverse social experiences that contribute to adolescent girls' risk for suicidal behavior. While social problem-solving is implicated in cognitive and behavioral theories of suicidal behavior, prior work is largely cross-sectional and examines bivariate associations between social problem-solving, assessed in neutral conditions, and suicidal behavior. Using a novel performance-based task, this study assessed social problem-solving in adolescent girls (N = 185, Mage = 14.66, SD = 1.41) before and after an experimentally simulated social stressor and examined associations between social problem-solving and past-year suicidal behavior. Prospective analyses tested whether greater changes in specific social problem-solving domains following the social stressor predicted greater likelihood of suicidal behavior over a 9-month follow-up in contexts of elevated, real-life interpersonal stress. Results revealed that adolescent girls who showed greater changes (i.e., reflecting declines) in problem-solving effectiveness following acute social stress were more likely to exhibit suicidal behavior over the following 9 months, but only if they also experienced elevated interpersonal stress in real life. State-dependent changes in social problem-solving may indicate a cognitive vulnerability following social stress that, in combination with cumulative interpersonal stress in real life, distinguishes adolescent girls at heightened risk for future suicidal behavior. Findings demonstrate the importance of examining suicide risk factors under conditions that may more closely mirror the interpersonal contexts in which adolescents' risk for suicidal behavior may be elevated. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Effects of intrauterine exposure to SARS-CoV-2 on infants’ development: a rapid review and meta-analysis

Potential medium- and long-term neurodevelopmental sequelae of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection during pregnancy have not been ruled out. We aimed to systematically review and summarize the evidence regarding the effects of intrauterine exposure to SARS-CoV-2 on infant development and behavior. Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, and PsycNet databases were searched for studies published up to February 6, 2023, investigating the effects of gestational SARS-CoV-2 on infant development and behavior. We performed narrative synthesis according to updated protocols. Studies using comparison groups and with the Ages and Stages Questionnaires-Third Edition (ASQ-3) scores available were included in a meta-analysis performed according to Cochrane protocols. We used the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale to analyze the risk of bias. Heterogeneity was calculated using the I2 statistic. The search identified 2,782 studies. After removing duplicates and applying the eligibility criteria, we performed a narrative synthesis of 10 included studies and a meta-analysis of three. There was no evidence of higher developmental delay rates in infants exposed to SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy compared to non-exposed infants. However, the exposed infants scored lower than either the non-exposed children or pre-pandemic cohorts in some domains. Pooled results from the random-effects model indicated that SARS-CoV-2-exposed infants had lower scores on fine motor (mean difference [MD] = -4.70, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -8.76; -0.63), and problem-solving (MD = -3.05, 95% CI: -5.88; -0.22) domains than non-exposed infants (heterogeneity: I2 = 69% and 88%, respectively). There was no difference between the exposed and non-exposed infants in the communication, gross motor, and personal-social ASQ-3 domains. Conclusion: We did not find evidence confirming the association between SARS-CoV-2 gestational exposure and neurodevelopmental delays. However, the meta-analysis indicated that gestational exposure negatively affected fine motor and problem-solving skills. Robust evidence on this topic is still incipient, and the available studies present methodological inconsistencies that limit the drawing of clear-cut conclusions. PROSPERO registration: #CRD42022308002; March 14, 2022. What is Known: • COVID-19 is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes potentially linked to neurodevelopmental delays. • SARS-CoV-2 vertical transmission is rare; however, infections during pregnancy can be deleterious to the fetus, possibly mediated by maternal immune activation and other inflammatory mechanisms. What is New: • No evidence of increased developmental delay rates among SARS-CoV-2 gestational-exposed infants was found. However, a meta-analysis of three studies showed lower scores in fine motor and personal social ASQ-3 domains among exposed infants. • SARS-CoV-2 gestational exposure and the pandemic can affect child development via many mechanisms. Potential neurodevelopmental sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 exposure during gestation have not been ruled out.

The Prevalence of Developmental Disabilities among Children Who Received Home Cares in the Neonatal Period Despite Being High-Risk

Background and aims: High-risk neonates (HRNs) included neonates who were born with a weight of less than 1500 g at birth and/or gestational age between 24 and 37 weeks and needed longer intensive medical care. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of developmental disabilities among 5-year-old children that were HRNs in the neonatal period. Methods: In a historical cohort study, 120 five-year-old children were included and divided into two groups of 60 eligible children in the exposed and control groups. They were born as HRNs in 2016 and admitted to the neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). After stabilization of their general condition, the infants in the exposed group were discharged and received home care (HC) services, but the control group received long-time care in NICU and did not receive HC services. They were evaluated in terms of developmental domains including vision, hearing, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, communication, problem-solving, and personal and social affairs. The developmental screening was done using the Ages and Stages questionnaire (ASQ). Results: A total of 61 (50.83%) children were classified as suspected cases of developmental disabilities. There was no significant difference between the exposed and control children in the total frequency of developmental disability (P=0.1). A significant difference was seen only in the problem-solving domain between the exposed and control groups (P=0.043). Conclusion: There were no significant statistical differences in most dimensions of developmental disabilities (except for the problem-solving domain) between the exposed and control children.

Assessing Resilience among Medical Teachers: A Necessary Step in Building More Equipped Medical Teaching: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Resilience among medical teachers is not only a subject of academic inquiry but also a growing body of literature. It encompasses perceiving the way of adaption of strategies in times of adversity or change as well as enable people carry on their jobs and lives. Aim: To assess overall scores and scores of seven domains of resilience-assessment like vision, determination, interaction, relationships, problem solving, organisation and self-confidence. Materials and Methods: This observational cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Physiology BSMC&H, Bankura on 60 medical educators for the period starting in April, 2021 and ending in February, 2022. The Resilience Assessment Questionnaire (RAQ) in Google form was sent to the subjects through email for participating in the study. The responses of RAQ were recorded and analysed by Microsoft excel- 2019. Results were represented in the form of descriptive statistics. Results: The data was obtained from 60 medical educators of the institute having mean age 49.63 years and comprising of both sexes with at least 10 years of experience of teaching. With respect to Overall scores, 83.3% of the subjects (n=50) had scores between 35-140 (low score) while only 16.7% (n=10) were found to be pretty resilient. Regarding determination scores 51.7% (n=31) subjects had scores between 5-15 (low level of determination and 33.3% (n=20) had considerable determination (score 16-20) while only 15% (n=9) were determined persons (score 21-25). A total of 50% (n=30) subjects were not very good in Problems solving score, 28.4% (n=17) liked and succeeded in solving problems. About 30% (n=18) scored 16-25 and had considerable self-confidence whereas 5% (n=3) scored poorly. In less than 15% of the subjects, the Score of Vision (n=10), Interaction (n=6), Relationship (n=14) and Organisational (n=5) skill were found to be in the higher range (score 21-25) whereas 85% (n=50, 54, 46 & 55 respectively) subjects scored poorly (score 5-20) in these categories. Conclusion: In the present study, resilience of ≥50% participants were found to be at a lower level. It draws attention of medical educators to reconsider the multidimensional factors that influenced their resilience. It may be proposed that brave decisions and actions aiming to improve resilience must be made by medical educators to help making medical students responsible doctors of tomorrow.

Career Decision Self-Efficacy Based on Gender and Socioeconomic Status of University Students in Indonesia

Overseas students with various gender backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses face various challenges in cultural adaptation in higher education. Hence, it is not uncommon for overseas students to experience stress which affects their career decision self-efficacy. The aim of this study was to provide an overview of overseas students’ career decision self-efficacy, which is influenced by socioeconomic status and gender. Measurements were carried out using the career decision self-efficacy-short form (CDSE-SF) which has been adapted in Indonesian. Respondents in this study amounted to 154 overseas students at universities all across Indonesia. The research method used was comparative research with descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and non-parametric statistics (Spearman and Mann-Whitney U) analysis techniques. The results showed that the highest scores were sequentially in the domains of self-appraisal, goal selection, planning, occupational information, and problem-solving. In the correlation analysis and comparative test, it can be seen that there is no relationship between students’ socioeconomic status and career decision self-efficacy and there is no difference based on gender. The results of the research discussion indicated that family support, acculturation, and career-related training were important in increasing career decision self-efficacy.

Infant neurodevelopment and behavior in Guadeloupe after lead exposure and Zika maternal infection during pregnancy

BackgroundPrenatal lead exposure is known to have neurotoxic effects on the developing fetus, while some viral infections may have a tropism for the central nervous system. Our objective was to study whether the effects of prenatal lead exposure on infant development and behaviors at 18 months of age are modified by the occurrence of a maternal infection to Zika virus (ZIKV) during pregnancy. MethodsDuring the ZIKV epidemic in Guadeloupe in 2016 a cohort of pregnant women was set up. Blood samples (pregnancy, childbirth and cord) (n = 297) enabled us to measure blood lead levels aimed to determine prenatal lead exposure and the likelihood of maternal infection during pregnancy (ZIKV status + vs -). The 18 months “Ages and Stages Questionnaire” (ASQ) was used to generate scores for global development, fine and gross motor skills, communication, problem solving, and personal-social skills. The questions from a longitudinal cohort study conducted in Canada (Québec) were used to generate hyperactivity, opposition, inattention and physical aggression scores. Associations were tested by multivariate linear regressions. ResultsPrenatal lead exposure was associated with delays in neurodevelopment at 18 months, reflected by lower scores in ASQ totals, and in the fine motor and problem-solving domains. Some of these associations appeared to be sex-specific, observed almost exclusively in boys (ASQ total, fine motor and personal-social scores). Prenatal lead exposure was not associated with behavioral scores. ZIKV infection during pregnancy was associated with a lower fine motor ASQ score, and higher scores for hyperactivity, opposition and physical aggression. Significant interaction between prenatal lead exposure and ZIKV status was observed with a lower personal-social score in ZIKV (-) only, and for hyperactivity and inattention scores, though some of these interactions (ASQ personal-social score, inattention score) were no longer significant when children with microcephaly were excluded from the analyses. Discussion/ConclusionOur study confirms previous findings of associations between prenatal exposure to lead at low levels and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes during infancy and the particular vulnerability of boys. It suggests associations between ZIKV infection during pregnancy and adverse effects on a number of neurodevelopmental functions (fine motor function) and behaviors (opposition, hyperactivity), that need to be confirmed at later age. There is no strong evidence of interaction between ZIKV infection and lead exposure but both prenatal risk factors may affect fine motor function.

The Comparison of Growth and Developmental Status in Surgical Necrotizing Enterocolitis with the Control Group

Background: Surgery in premature neonates following Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) is an awful event. There are many concerns regarding the future of these neonates. Releasing inflammatory substances following perforation can have a significant impact on the premature brain. Based on the ASQ questionnaire, we aimed at finding out whether there is any neurodevelopmental delay following NEC surgery. Methods: We compared developmental aspects of neonates who underwent NEC surgery with control using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ II). Results: We compared 29 children that had surgical NEC in their neonatal period with their premature peers. They were homogeneous in age, sex, head circumference, weight, and Apgar count at birth in the neonatal period; they had no significant difference in the incidence of sepsis and ventilation-requiring days and cerebral incidence hemorrhage. At the study time, there was a significant difference in growth parameters, weight (p<0.001), and height (p=0.014). Also, there was no significant difference in head circumference and developmental parameters such as communication, motor, and problem-solving domains. Conclusion: This study indicates that if these patients do not develop severe neurological complications in the neonatal period, their abilities are close to their premature peers in arrival to community and school. However, we still recommend close monitoring of these cases due to the possibility of impaired central nervous-gastrointestinal coordination.

Effects of prenatal exposure to PM2.5 and its composition on cognitive and motor functions in children at 12 months of age: The Shanghai Birth Cohort Study

BackgroundPrenatal fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure has been linked to infant cognitive and motor functions, but the effects of PM2.5 chemical composition remain unclear. ObjectivesWe aimed to explore the associations of prenatal PM2.5 and its composition exposure with infant cognitive and motor functions. MethodsWe studied 2,435 mother-infant pairs in the Shanghai Birth Cohort Study. PM2.5 and its seven compositions [primary particles (black carbon, mineral dust and sea salts) and secondary particles (NH4+, NO3–, SO42- and organic matter)] during thethreetrimesters ofpregnancy were retrieved from the V4.CH.03 product developed by using a combined geoscience-statistical method. At the 12-month-old follow-up, infant cognitive and motor functions in five domains were assessed using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ). We used multivariable linear regressions to estimate the effects of PM2.5 and its composition on the ASQ scores, for all infants and stratifying by sex and breastfeeding duration. ResultsPM2.5 exposure was negatively associated with gross motor, problem-solving and personal-social scores for all infants. PM2.5 compositions were inversely associated with ASQ scores in all five domains, and the effects of different compositions varied across domains. Specifically, all compositions except organic matter were correlated with lower problem-solving scores [e.g., (βSO42- = − 10.79, 95 % CI: −17.40, −4.18) ∼ (βNO3- = − 4.68, 95 % CI: −7.84, −1.53); for each 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 compositions during the third trimester]. Primary and some secondary particles (organic matter, NO3–) were related to lower gross motor scores. Secondary particles were also inversely associated with communication (organic matter and NO3–), fine motor (NH4+, NO3–, SO42-) and personal-social (NH4+) scores. Additionally, boys and infants breastfed for < 6 months appeared to be more susceptible. ConclusionsWe found negative associations of PM2.5 and its compositions with infant cognitive and motor functions over a range of domains, especially the problem-solving domain.

Correlation between Cord Blood Vitamin D Levels and Problem-Solving Neurodevelopment in Early Childhood: A Cohort Study in Rural Indonesia.

Vitamin D influence on brain development and subsequent postnatal neurodevelopment remains controversial. We explored the correlation between cord blood vitamin D levels and longitudinal neurodevelopment in early childhood. A cohort study was conducted on term infants with no congenital abnormalities, born from pregnant women from a cohort study. Cord blood samples were collected to measure vitamin D. Neurodevelopment was examined three times in infants aged 6, 12 and 24 months using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire-3, which comprises 30 questions of five developmental domains: gross motor, fine motor, communication, problem-solving and social–personal. Statistical analysis was conducted with Spearman’s rank correlation and multiple linear regression. Of the 141 babies born from previous cohort studies, only 116 participants were included. The mean level of cord blood vitamin D was 16.2 ng/mL. The percentage participants with vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were 12.9 and 65.5, respectively. Cord blood vitamin D and the problem-solving domain for infant aged 12 and 24 months were correlated (r = 0.217 and 0.414, respectively). Multiple linear regression showed a decreased problem-solving domain score of 0.641 associated with decreased vitamin D levels. In conclusion, cord blood vitamin D levels correlated with infant neurodevelopmental status.

A developmental perspective on feedback: How corrective feedback influences children’s literacy, mathematics, and problem solving

Research in psychology and education indicates that corrective feedback can be a powerful learning tool. We provide a developmental perspective to focus specifically on how corrective feedback influences learning in childhood (∼ages 3–11). Based on a systematic search, we review 44 empirical papers published between 1990 and 2022 examining the effects of corrective feedback on children’s performance in the domains of literacy (n = 18), mathematics (n = 14), and problem solving (n = 12). Across these domains, we synthesize research on how children respond to lessons and practice with, versus without, corrective feedback to provide theoretical and practical insights into (1) the effectiveness of corrective feedback in early childhood, (2) the features of effective feedback messages at different ages, and (3) the role of individual learner differences. We make several novel recommendations with some focused on future research questions and others focused on ways teachers can provide effective feedback to children.

Impact of Cerebellar Injury on Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Preterm Infants With Cerebral Palsy.

We aimed to analyze brain imaging findings and neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm infants diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Brain magnetic resonance imaging of preterm infants born between 23 and 32 wks' gestation and diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 2 yrs of corrected age were evaluated. Brain lesions were categorized as periventricular leukomalacia, intraventricular hemorrhage, and cerebellar hemorrhage and graded by the severity. Neurodevelopmental outcomes were assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition, at 18-24 mos corrected age, and the Korean Ages and Stages Questionnaire at 18 and 24 mos of corrected age. Cerebral palsy was found in 38 children (6.1%) among 618 survivors. Cerebellar injury of high-grade cerebellar hemorrhage and/or atrophy accounted for 25%. Among patients with supratentorial lesions, those having cerebellar injury showed significantly lower scores on each Korean Ages and Stages Questionnaire domain except gross motor than patients without cerebellar injury. They also revealed a high proportion of patients below the cutoff value of Korean Ages and Stages Questionnaire in language, fine motor, and problem-solving domains ( P < 0.05) and lower Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition, language composite scores ( P = 0.038). Poor neurodevelopmental outcomes other than motor function were associated with cerebellar injury. Evaluation of the cerebellum may help predict functional outcomes of patients with cerebral palsy.

Differences in associations between family functioning and anxious and depressive symptoms in Chinese women and their partners in early pregnancy.

Family functioning is associated with anxiety and depression. Perinatal depression and anxiety are common and influence the well-being of women, partners and their offspring. However, little is known about differences in associations between family functioning and mood symptoms in women and their partners in early pregnancy. Investigating differences in associations between family functioning and anxious and depressive symptoms in women and their partners in early pregnancy. In total, 171 woman-partner pairs were enrolled. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item scale (GAD-7) and Family Assessment Device (FAD) were performed. Correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were applied to investigate the associations. In pregnant women, all the subscale scores on the FAD were correlated with total scores on the EPDS and GAD-7 (all P < 0.05), whereas only the Roles subscale showed a predicting effect in regression models (P < 0.01). In partners, all the subscale scores on the FAD were related to total scores on the PHQ-9 (all P < 0.05), whereas only the Problem Solving subscale showed a predicting effect (P = 0.029). Our findings indicate that family functioning in the domain of roles is associated with anxious and depressive symptoms in pregnant women and functioning in the domain of problem solving is associated with depressive symptoms in partners. Clinicians should pay special attention to roles and problem solving when assessing mood symptoms in pregnant women and their partners. This study also provides a basis for family health education in early pregnancy.

Does Long-Term Enrollment in Day-Care Maintain or Increase Early Developmental Gains-Findings from an Intervention Study in Rural Bangladesh.

Objective: Community day-care centers (or crèches) are gaining popularity; access to these centers can reduce cognitive gaps. This paper describes the sustained impact of enrollment in day-cares on cognitive gains. Methods: As part of a larger study, a census of all children was conducted in 2012–2013 to identify children between 9 and 17 months of age in rural Bangladesh. A sub-sample of children (n = ~1000) were assigned to receive either a day-care or playpen. Children from two sub-districts were randomly selected and assessed at 9–17 months of age for cognitive and behavioral domains using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire-III. The same children were then followed-up with after one year to see if the scores obtained by the children in the day-care intervention were different from those enrolled in the playpen intervention using a difference-in-difference estimator. Results: Children enrolled in the day-care intervention performed better (in communication, gross-motor, personal-social, and problem-solving domains) than children enrolled in the playpens when followed up with after a one-year period. Total scores were 0.31 (95% CI 0.141–0.472) higher (p value < 0.001) among children in the day-cares. Family care indicators as well as the child’s and mother’s weight were significantly associated with sustained and increased cognitive gains. Conclusion and relevance: The cognitive and psychosocial improvements seen with short-term exposure to structured ECD programs (day-care) were observed to be sustained over time with continued exposure. Home stimulation and parental involvement add to the long-term benefits of ECD.

Prenatal fine particulate matter exposure associated with placental small extracellular vesicle derived microRNA and child neurodevelopmental delays

Background and aimsPrenatal fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure has been linked to adverse neurodevelopment. However, epidemiological evidence remains inconclusive and little information about the effects of various PM2.5 components on child neurodevelopment is currently known. The underlying mechanism was also not elucidated. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of PM2.5 and components exposure on child neurodevelopmental delays and the role of placental small extracellular vesicles (sEVs)-derived miRNAs in the associations. MethodsWe included 267 mother-child pairs in this analysis. Prenatal PM2.5 and components (i.e. elements, water-soluble ions, and PAHs) exposure during three trimesters were monitored through personal PM2.5 sampling. Child neurodevelopment at 2, 6, and 12 months old were evaluated by Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ). We isolated sEVs from placental tissue to analyze the change of sEVs-derived miRNAs in response to PM2.5. Associations between the PM2.5-associated miRNAs and child neurodevelopment were evaluated using multivariate linear regression models. ResultsThe PM2.5 exposure levels in the three trimesters range from 2.51 to 185.21 μg/m3. Prenatal PM2.5 and the components of Pb, Al, V and Ti exposure in the second and third trimester were related to decreased ASQ scores communication, problem-solving and personal-social domains in children aged 2 or 6 months. RNA sequencing identified fifteen differentially expressed miRNAs. The miR-101-3p and miR-520d-5p were negatively associated with PM2.5 and Pb component. miR-320a-3p expression was positively associated with PM2.5 and V component. Meanwhile, the miR-320a-3p was associated with decreased ASQ scores, as reflected by ASQ-T (β: -2.154, 95 % CI: −4.313, −0.516) and problem-solving domain (β: -0.605, 95 % CI: −1.111, −0.099) in children aged 6 months. ConclusionPrenatal exposure to PM2.5 and its Pb, Al, V & Ti component were associated with infant neurodevelopmental delays. The placenta sEVs derived miRNAs, especially miR-320a-3p, might contribute to an increased risk of neurodevelopmental delays.

Maternal Iodine Intake and Neurodevelopment of Offspring: The Japan Environment and Children's Study.

Inadequate maternal iodine intake affects thyroid function and may impair fetal brain development. This study investigated the association between maternal iodine intake during pregnancy and neurodevelopmental delay in offspring at 1 and 3 years of age using a nationwide birth cohort: the Japan Environment and Children’s Study. We assessed dietary iodine intake during pregnancy using a food frequency questionnaire and child neurodevelopment using the Japanese translation of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, Third Edition. The risk of delay (score below the cut-off value) for fine motor domain at 1 year of age was increased in the lowest quintile iodine intake group compared with the fourth quintile iodine intake group. The risk of delay for problem-solving at 1 year of age was increased in the lowest and second quintile iodine intake group and decreased in the highest quintile iodine intake group. The risk of delay for communication, fine motor, problem-solving, and personal–social domains at 3 years of age was increased in the lowest and second quintile iodine intake group compared with the fourth quintile iodine intake group, while the risk of delay for fine motor and problem-solving domains was decreased in the highest quintile iodine intake group. Low iodine intake levels in pregnancy may affect child neurodevelopment.

Hyperglycemia in pregnancy and developmental outcomes in children at 18-60 months of age: the PANDORA Wave 1 study.

This study aimed to explore the association between hyperglycemia in pregnancy (type 2 diabetes (T2D) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)) and child developmental risk in Europid and Aboriginal women.PANDORA is a longitudinal birth cohort recruited from a hyperglycemia in pregnancy register, and from normoglycemic women in antenatal clinics. The Wave 1 substudy included 308 children who completed developmental and behavioral screening between age 18 and 60 months. Developmental risk was assessed using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) or equivalent modified ASQ for use with Aboriginal children. Emotional and behavioral risk was assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the association between developmental scores and explanatory variables, including maternal T2D in pregnancy or GDM.After adjustment for ethnicity, maternal and child variables, and socioeconomic measures, maternal hyperglycemia was associated with increased developmental "concern" (defined as score ≥1 SD below mean) in the fine motor (T2D odds ratio (OR) 5.30, 95% CI 1.77-15.80; GDM OR 3.96, 95% CI 1.55-10.11) and problem-solving (T2D OR 2.71, 95% CI 1.05-6.98; GDM OR 2.54, 95% CI 1.17-5.54) domains, as well as increased "risk" (score ≥2 SD below mean) in at least one domain (T2D OR 5.33, 95% CI 1.85-15.39; GDM OR 4.86, 95% CI 1.95-12.10). Higher maternal education was associated with reduced concern in the problem-solving domain (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.11-0.69) after adjustment for maternal hyperglycemia.Maternal hyperglycemia is associated with increased developmental concern and may be a potential target for intervention so as to optimize developmental trajectories.

Relationship between Principal Leadership Style and Student Achievement: A Comparative Study between Germany and China

This article explored the different clusters of leadership styles and the relationship between principal leadership style and student academic achievement in domains of mathematics, reading, science, and collaborative problem-solving in Germany and China. We used PISA 2015 data covering 6,504 students and 256 school principals from German schools and 9,841 students and 268 school leaders from Chinese schools. Results identified three leadership styles in Germany, namely, transformational (23.4%), instructional (41.3%), and integrated (35.3%) leadership, and two leadership styles in China, namely, transformational (38.6%) and instructional (61.4%) principals. Principals with instructional and integrated leadership had higher student achievements in Germany, whereas only principals with transformational leadership had slightly higher student achievements in China. Moreover, three leadership styles in Germany and two in China showed their relationships with each domain of student achievement. In conclusion, principals in Germany and China had different priorities in leading schools. The differences that principal leadership made on student achievements highlighted the differences in principals’ situational context and leading characteristics between Germany and China.

Associations between exclusive breastfeeding duration and children's developmental outcomes: Evidence from Siaya county, Kenya.

BackgroundExclusive breastfeeding (EBF) during the first 6 months of life is widely promoted as a key strategy to enhance child health, growth, and development. Even though a high proportion of children in Kenya are currently breastfed exclusively, there is little evidence regarding the developmental benefits during the first year of life. This paper aims to fill this gap by establishing an association between EBF and early childhood developmental outcomes among children below the age of 6 months in Kenya.MethodsWe used data collected as part of a cluster-randomized controlled trial conducted in Bondo sub-county in the western part of Kenya to assess the associations between EBF and development in the first year of life. The primary exposure variable was EBF, and the outcome variable was child development as measured by the Ages and Stages Questionnaire–Third Edition (ASQ-3).ResultsWe analyzed data from 570 children aged below 6 months at the time of the interview. Breastfeeding children exclusively between 3 and 6 months was associated with 0.61 standard deviation (SD) higher ASQ-3 scores in the adjusted model. When specific domains were considered, in the adjusted models, EBF in the 3–6 months period was associated with 0.44 SD, 0.34 SD and 0.36 SD higher ASQ-3 scores in communication, gross motor, and problem solving domains, respectively. There were weak associations in the fine motor and social-emotional domains.ConclusionEBF in the 3- to 6-month age range has significant positive associations with child development, especially for communication, gross motor, and problem-solving. Programs encouraging mothers to continue EBF in this period may have substantial benefits for children.

Effects of Alberta Family Integrated Care (FICare) on Preterm Infant Development: Two Studies at 2 Months and between 6 and 24 Months Corrected Age.

Preterm infants are at increased risk for developmental delays. Family integrated care (FICare) is a novel care delivery model that integrates parents into their infant’s care in the neonatal intensive care unit. Two follow-up studies are presented to identify effects of Alberta FICare™ on the development of preterm infants born between 32 and 34 weeks of gestation. Data for Study 1 were collected at an age of 2 months, and between 6 and 24 months for Study 2. In Study 1, Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) and maternal psychosocial distress measures were completed by 330 mothers of 387 infants (FICare, n = 223; standard care, n = 164). Study 2 utilised an additional measure, the Parent–Child Interaction Teaching Scale, with 50 mothers of 61 infants (FICare, n = 30; standard care, n = 31). For Study 1, there was no effect of Alberta FICare™ on the ASQ domains of communication, problem solving, or personal–social at an age of 2 months. For Study 2, the risk of communication delay was significantly lower for infants in Alberta FICare™ compared with standard care. Results from Study 2 suggest a possible protective effect of Alberta FICare™ for the risk of communication delays between 6 and 24 months. Further investigation into the effect of Alberta FICare™ on parent–child interactions and implications for long-term development is warranted.