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Early rapid growth: no association with later cognitive functions in children born not small for gestational age

Andreas Beyerlein1, Andrew R Ness, Ina Streuling

  • 1Institute of Social Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, Germany. andreas.beyerlein@med.uni-muenchen.de

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|July 2, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Rapid early growth in non-small for gestational age children does not improve cognitive function. This study found no evidence that faster weight or length gain benefits intelligence quotient (IQ) scores in these children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Growth and Development
  • Childhood Overweight and Obesity
  • Cognitive Function and Development

Background:

  • Early life rapid growth is linked to childhood overweight.
  • Beneficial effects on cognition are observed in small for gestational age (SGA) infants.
  • The impact of rapid growth on cognition in non-SGA children requires investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate potential cognitive benefits of rapid growth in non-SGA children.
  • To determine if rapid weight or length gain influences intelligence quotient (IQ) in non-SGA children.
  • To balance known risks of rapid growth against potential cognitive advantages.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature search across 3 databases.
  • Analysis of Avon Longitudinal Study on Parents and Children (ALSPAC) data.
  • Assessment of rapid weight/length gain (increase >0.67 SD score) on IQ at 49 months and 8 years in non-SGA children, using adjusted linear models.

Main Results:

  • 14 studies were identified, but none specifically examined rapid weight gain effects in non-SGA children.
  • No positive association was found between rapid weight gain and IQ scores in non-SGA children at 49 months (estimate: -1.4) or 8 years (estimate: -0.8).
  • Subgroup analyses by sex and rapid length gain yielded similar null findings; no linear association between weight gain and IQ was observed.

Conclusions:

  • No evidence supports cognitive benefits from rapid growth in non-SGA children.
  • The potential adverse effects of rapid growth on overweight are not counterbalanced by cognitive advantages in this population.
  • Findings suggest rapid growth in non-SGA children does not enhance cognitive function.
Abstract

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