Timing Of Developmental Milestones Research Articles

Developmental milestones in early childhood and genetic liability to neurodevelopmental disorders.

Timing of developmental milestones, such as age at first walking, is associated with later diagnoses of neurodevelopmental disorders. However, its relationship to genetic risk for neurodevelopmental disorders in the general population is unknown. Here, we investigate associations between attainment of early-life language and motor development milestones and genetic liability to autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and schizophrenia. We use data from a genotyped sub-set (N = 25699) of children in the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa). We calculate polygenic scores (PGS) for autism, ADHD, and schizophrenia and predict maternal reports of children's age at first walking, first words, and first sentences, motor delays (18 months), and language delays and a generalised measure of concerns about development (3 years). We use linear and probit regression models in a multi-group framework to test for sex differences. We found that ADHD PGS were associated with earlier walking age (β = -0.033, padj < 0.001) in both males and females. Additionally, autism PGS were associated with later walking (β = 0.039, padj = 0.006) in females only. No robust associations were observed for schizophrenia PGS or between any neurodevelopmental PGS and measures of language developmental milestone attainment. Genetic liabilities for neurodevelopmental disorders show some specific associations with the age at which children first walk unsupported. Associations are small but robust and, in the case of autism PGS, differentiated by sex. These findings suggest that early-life motor developmental milestone attainment is associated with genetic liability to ADHD and autism in the general population.

Predicting ambulatory function at skeletal maturity in children with moderate to severe osteogenesis imperfecta.

Maximizing ambulation is a key treatment aim in moderate to severe osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). Here we investigated which early clinical characteristics predicted ambulation function at skeletal maturity. We assessed Bleck ambulation scores in 88 individuals with OI at 5 to 6 years of age and again at final height (at 15 to 24 years of age). At 5 to 6 years of age, 33 (38%) children were non-ambulators, 32 (36%) were fully independent ambulators, and 23 (26%) had intermediate ambulation skills. At skeletal maturity, 58% of the study participants had the same mobility level as at first assessment. The ability to ambulate independently at skeletal maturity was predicted by independent ambulation at 5 to 6 years (odds ratio [OR] 22.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.9-105; P < 0.001), height z score at 5 to 6 years (OR 3.1, CI 1.6-6.3; P = 0.001) and weight z score at 5 to 6 years (OR 0.44, CI 0.19-0.99; P = 0.04).Conclusion: Independent ambulation at 5 to 6 years was the main determinant of independent ambulation at skeletal maturity. This highlights the importance of maximizing ambulation in children below 5 years of age. What is Known: •walking ability varies markedly between OI types. The highest level of mobility was found in OI type I, the lowest in OI type III who require mobility aids; intermediate levels were reported for OI type IV. • OI type is a key predictor of ultimate ability to ambulate, whereas the timing of developmental milestones was not associated with walking ability What is New: • overall key predictors of mobility function at skeletal maturity were mobility status and height z-score at 5-6 years of age • Childrenwho were non-ambulators at 5 to 6 years of age had a higher chance of having better mobility at skeletal maturity if they had good upper extremity function, as expressed in the PEDI Self Care Score.

Relations between mode of birth delivery and timing of developmental milestones and adiposity in preadolescence: A retrospective study

BackgroundCesarean delivery (CS) is an increasingly common mode of delivery comprising over 30% of all deliveries in the U.S. The long-term impact of this delivery mode on child development remains unclear. AimsWe investigated the relationship between mode of delivery (vaginal vs. CS) and timing of developmental milestones and adiposity in preadolescence, as well as additional milestones beyond motor/language development including toilet training, dressing, and feeding self. Study designThis study utilized a retrospective survey given to a parent/guardian and dual energy x-ray absorptiometry in preadolescence, respectively. A composite z-score was calculated based on nine questions pertaining to developmental milestones i.e., parent-reported age for supporting head by self, rolling over, sitting up, standing, walking, talking, toilet-training, dressing, and feeding self. Subjects7–10-year-old (N = 104) children in East-Central Illinois. Outcome measuresComposite z-score for timing of attainment of developmental milestones, mode of delivery, and preadolescent adiposity. ResultsVaginally-born children had a lower composite z-score, signifying earlier attainment of developmental milestones, relative to both emergency and planned CS-born children. Further, elective CS-born children had greater adiposity in preadolescence, relative to vaginal and emergency cesarean-section born children. ConclusionsThese findings suggest relationships between delivery mode, developmental milestones, and obesity in preadolescence. Additionally, they provide novel insights into the differential impact of elective versus emergency CS.

Psychosexual development and satisfaction with timing of developmental milestones among adult survivors of childhood cancer.

To extend the limited research on psychosexual development among childhood cancer survivors, by not only focusing on the prevalence and age of milestone attainment, but also survivors' attitudes toward the timing of reaching such milestones. Adult survivors of childhood cancer (N=90; Mage =29.8, SD=5.2), recruited from a US pediatric institution, completed online surveys indicating whether they had reached 5 milestones of psychosexual development (ie, first kiss, first boy-/girlfriend, first physical intimacy, sexual debut, first time in love), age at attainment, and perceptions about the timing (ie, right time, wished it had happened earlier, wished they had waited). Almost all survivors had reached each milestone (≥90%), except for sexual debut (83.3%). Survivors reported their first kiss as the earliest milestone at age 14.6 (N=82, 92%) and falling in love as the latest milestone at age 18.8 (N=80; 90%). This timing did not differ by sex/cancer-specific factors. Most survivors (~60%) felt they reached each milestone at the right time. Compared with US normative data, both male and female survivors were less likely to have experienced their sexual debut and were approximately 1.5years older at sexual debut. Nevertheless, 59% of survivors felt that this timing was right and 31% wished they had waited longer. This is the first study to demonstrate that although childhood cancer survivors may delay some aspects of psychosexual development, most are satisfied with this timing. Research and clinical practice should emphasize survivors' perceptions/satisfaction toward psychosexual development rather than focusing only on normative milestone attainment.

Differences In Timing of Developmental Milestones Across Vaginally vs. Cesarean-section Delivered Infants: A Retrospective Study

Differences In Timing of Developmental Milestones Across Vaginally vs. Cesarean-section Delivered Infants: A Retrospective Study

2022 LIGHT-INDUCED DIELECTROPHORESIS ASSAY FOR USE IN ASSISTED REPRODUCTION: IS IT SAFE? A MOUSE EMBRYO EXPOSURE AND TRANSFER MODEL

You have accessJournal of UrologyInfertility: Physiology, Pathophysiology, Basic Research1 Apr 20112022 LIGHT-INDUCED DIELECTROPHORESIS ASSAY FOR USE IN ASSISTED REPRODUCTION: IS IT SAFE? A MOUSE EMBRYO EXPOSURE AND TRANSFER MODEL Maurice Garcia, Justin Valley, Sid Espineda, and Ming Wu Maurice GarciaMaurice Garcia San Francisco, CA More articles by this author , Justin ValleyJustin Valley Berkeley, CA More articles by this author , Sid EspinedaSid Espineda San Francisco, CA More articles by this author , and Ming WuMing Wu Berkeley, CA More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2011.02.2250AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES We have shown that a novel, light-based assay we developed, termed Optoelectronic Tweezers (OET), can non-invasively identify and sort viable from non-viable sperm within an unwashed sample. Using COMET assay of human sperm exposed to OET assay, we have also shown that OET assay of human sperm does not result in increased DNA fragmentation. Whether OET assay is compatible with fertility following exposure has remained unknown. METHODS A mouse preimplantation embryo model was used. A total of 565 B6D2F1 mouse embryos were harvested at the 1-cell (zygote) stage and cultured in M16 medium. On day #3.5. 192 morphologically indistinguishable early-blastocysts were culled from the group and randomly divided into two groups (A,B) (N=96ea.). Embryos from group A were exposed to OET assay, and underwent uterine oviduct transfer to 6 pseudo-pregnant recipient females (16E/each). Embryos from Group B were not exposed to OET before uterine transfer (16E/each). Recipients were housed in single cages. Litter size, # days since transfer, and neuromotor developmental milestones through day 10 (including pup body-weight (g.) on day of life #2), were recorded. RESULTS All recipient females (100%) yielded live, normal-appearing healthy pup litters 18–19 days after transfer. The total proportion of live pups per number of embryos transferred was 36/96 (38%) for Group A, and 42/96 (44%) for Group B (difference in birth rate Group B–Group A [95% C.I.]: 6% [−9%, 22%]; p>0.05). The range in pup litter-size was 4–12 for both groups. Mean body-weight on DOL #2 equaled (range; SD) 2.47 g. (1.7–2.8; 0.47) in Group A, and 2.55 g. (1.8–2.7; 0.42) for Group B. The difference in mean weight was 0.08 g. [−0.06 g to 0.22 g], and no difference in attainment and timing of developmental milestones was noted (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS OET exposure of mouse embryos does not appear to compromise likelihood of live, healthy birth. Given the presumed increased vulnerability (relative to sperm) of the developing embryo to environmental stress, these results, combined with previous work, are reassuring and suggest that OET assay of sperm and embryos may be safe for use with human assisted reproductive technology. Future studies must include mouse ICSI with OET-selected sperm. © 2011 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 185Issue 4SApril 2011Page: e808 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2011 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Maurice Garcia San Francisco, CA More articles by this author Justin Valley Berkeley, CA More articles by this author Sid Espineda San Francisco, CA More articles by this author Ming Wu Berkeley, CA More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

Maternal expectations about infant development of pre-term and full-term infants: a cross-national comparison

In three European regions (The Netherlands, Northern Italy and Southern Italy) we investigated whether mothers of healthy pre-term infants (n=92) adjust their expectations for the timing of developmental milestones in the first years of life as compared to mothers of full-term infants (n=140). We examined whether these adjustments could be seen as reflecting a pessimistic view, as would be predicted from the ‘prematurity stereotype’ perspective. Partial corrections for prematurity were regularly made, but no indications were found for an overly pessimistic view. Moreover, the differences between the regions in the anticipated timing of mastery of milestones were larger than the effects of prematurity. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Comparative investigations of human and rat dermatoglyphics: palmar, plantar and digital pads and flexion creases.

The morphological features of the palmar, plantar and digital areas of the rat were studied and compared to the corresponding human traits. The location and the timing of appearance of the volar pads and flexion creases of human and rat fetuses were investigated to determine the feasibility of using rats as an experimental model for studying the factors influencing early development of the dermatoglyphics in humans. Comparisons between analogous developmental stages of human and rat fetuses demonstrate striking similarities in overall fetal development. However, marked differences between human and rat fetuses were found in the timing of developmental milestones and in some morphological features. Provided that these differences are taken into consideration, rats can serve as a useful experimental model in studies of the utility of the epidermal ridge configurations and flexion creases in medical disorders.