The Longitudinal Effects of Neonatal Anthropometry on Attention Problems in Males and Females

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Bibliographic Details
Title: The Longitudinal Effects of Neonatal Anthropometry on Attention Problems in Males and Females
Language: English
Authors: Lars Meinertz Byg (ORCID 0000-0001-5117-9811), Carol Wang, Jonathan J. Hirst, Roger Smith, Craig Pennell
Source: JCPP Advances. 2025 5(2).
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 13
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Prenatal Influences, Body Weight, Body Composition, Child Behavior, Attention Span, Gender Differences, Correlation, Children, Adolescents, Attention Deficit Disorders, Age Differences, Measurement, Foreign Countries
Geographic Terms: Australia
Assessment and Survey Identifiers: Child Behavior Checklist
DOI: 10.1002/jcv2.12256
ISSN: 2692-9384
Abstract: Background: The longitudinal impact of fetal growth on attention problems in males and females is unclear. This study aims to evaluate the impact of fetal growth assessed by neonatal anthropometry throughout childhood and adolescence in males and females separately. Methods: We compared neonatal anthropometry (birth weight (BW), head circumference (HC), proportion of optimal birthweight (POBW)) and asymmetry (head-to-abdominal circumference ratio (HC/AC) and ponderal index (PI)) at birth with parental assessment of the child behavior checklist attention-problem syndrome (CBCL-AP) raw score measured at ages five, eight, 10, 14 and 17. We used univariable and multivariable linear mixed-effects modeling. Sensitivity analyses included excluding pre-term births, teacher ratings and treating the CBCL-AP as an ordinal variable. Results: In males, a 1-SD lower BW, increased CBCL-AP by 0.234 (95%CI [-0.422, -0.0497]). In males, a 1-SD lower HC increased CBCL-AP by 0.316 (95%CI [0.495, 0.133]). In males, there was a U-shaped relationship between HC/AC and CBCL-AP throughout childhood and adolescence; a curvilinear relationship was observed between POBW and CBCL-AP. In females, a 1 SD lower HC increased CBCL-AP 0.424 (95%CI [0.726, 0.133]), but every increased year of age reduced the effect by 0.027 (95% CI: 0.006-0.05). In females, there was no clear relationship between BW, POBW or HC/AC and CBCL-AP. In males and females, PI was not significantly associated with CBCL-AP. The exclusion of pre-term births and analysis of teacher-rated attention problems was consistent with the primary results. Conclusions: Using a longitudinal design, our study suggests a male vulnerability to attention problems throughout childhood and adolescence from neonatal anthropometry. The relationships in females appear to be limited to childhood.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1473760
Database: ERIC
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Abstract:Background: The longitudinal impact of fetal growth on attention problems in males and females is unclear. This study aims to evaluate the impact of fetal growth assessed by neonatal anthropometry throughout childhood and adolescence in males and females separately. Methods: We compared neonatal anthropometry (birth weight (BW), head circumference (HC), proportion of optimal birthweight (POBW)) and asymmetry (head-to-abdominal circumference ratio (HC/AC) and ponderal index (PI)) at birth with parental assessment of the child behavior checklist attention-problem syndrome (CBCL-AP) raw score measured at ages five, eight, 10, 14 and 17. We used univariable and multivariable linear mixed-effects modeling. Sensitivity analyses included excluding pre-term births, teacher ratings and treating the CBCL-AP as an ordinal variable. Results: In males, a 1-SD lower BW, increased CBCL-AP by 0.234 (95%CI [-0.422, -0.0497]). In males, a 1-SD lower HC increased CBCL-AP by 0.316 (95%CI [0.495, 0.133]). In males, there was a U-shaped relationship between HC/AC and CBCL-AP throughout childhood and adolescence; a curvilinear relationship was observed between POBW and CBCL-AP. In females, a 1 SD lower HC increased CBCL-AP 0.424 (95%CI [0.726, 0.133]), but every increased year of age reduced the effect by 0.027 (95% CI: 0.006-0.05). In females, there was no clear relationship between BW, POBW or HC/AC and CBCL-AP. In males and females, PI was not significantly associated with CBCL-AP. The exclusion of pre-term births and analysis of teacher-rated attention problems was consistent with the primary results. Conclusions: Using a longitudinal design, our study suggests a male vulnerability to attention problems throughout childhood and adolescence from neonatal anthropometry. The relationships in females appear to be limited to childhood.
ISSN:2692-9384
DOI:10.1002/jcv2.12256