Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 31, 2026

Limited Bedding and Nesting as a Model for Early-Life Adversity in Mice
04:20

Limited Bedding and Nesting as a Model for Early-Life Adversity in Mice

Published on: July 12, 2024

The effect of low birth weight on height, weight and behavioral outcomes in the medium-run

Nabanita Datta Gupta1, Mette Deding, Mette Lausten

  • 1Aarhus University, Denmark. ndg@asb.dk

Economics and Human Biology
|July 9, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Low birth weight (LBW) can negatively impact child development. This study tracks physical growth and behavioral outcomes in LBW children over time to inform interventions.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Long-term effects of low birth weight (LBW) are documented, but the developmental trajectory of associated adverse outcomes remains unclear.
  • Previous research shows mixed findings regarding the persistence of LBW effects on physical growth and cognitive function into adulthood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the medium-term effects of low birth weight on child behavioral and physical growth outcomes.
  • To analyze the evolution of anthropometric and behavioral deficits in children born with LBW from infancy to pre-adolescence.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal analysis of children from the Danish Longitudinal Survey of Children.
  • Tracking physical growth and behavioral outcomes at multiple time points: 6 months, 3, 7, and 11 years.
  • Observing the same children over time to chart developmental trajectories.

Main Results:

  • The study provides new evidence on the medium-term evolution of deficits in children born with LBW.
  • Analysis charts the progression of anthropometric and behavioral outcomes in this cohort.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the timing and nature of deficits associated with LBW is crucial for developing effective interventions.
  • This research aids in identifying critical periods for intervention to mitigate long-term adverse effects of LBW.

More Related Videos

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale19:15

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

Related Concept Videos

Nature and Nurture01:10

Nature and Nurture

Many human characteristics, like height, are shaped by both nature—in other words, by our genes—and by nurture, or our environment. For example, chronic stress during childhood inhibits the production of growth hormones and consequently reduces bone growth and height. Scientists estimate that 70-90% of variation in height is due to genetic differences among individuals, and 10-30% of variation in height is due to differences in the environments that individuals experience, such as differences...
Regression Toward the Mean01:52

Regression Toward the Mean

Regression toward the mean (“RTM”) is a phenomenon in which extremely high or low values—for example, and individual’s blood pressure at a particular moment—appear closer to a group’s average upon remeasuring. Although this statistical peculiarity is the result of random error and chance, it has been problematic across various medical, scientific, financial and psychological applications. In particular, RTM, if not taken into account, can interfere when researchers try to extrapolate results...
Environmental Influences on Intelligence01:29

Environmental Influences on Intelligence

Despite the strong genetic influence on traits like intelligence, environmental factors significantly shape outcomes. For example, while over 90% of height variation is due to genetic differences, environmental factors such as nutrition also have a notable impact. Similarly, for intelligence, changes in a child's surroundings can significantly alter their IQ. Research shows that enriched environments boost children's academic success and help them develop key cognitive skills. Children from...
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
Behavioral Genetics and Its Designs01:23

Behavioral Genetics and Its Designs

Behavior genetics explores how genetic inheritance influences human behavior. It focuses on how genes, passed from parents to offspring, contribute to the development of behavioral traits and tendencies. This branch of genetics seeks to understand the complex interplay between inherited genetic factors and environmental influences in shaping our behaviors.
The primary methodologies used in behavior genetics include family studies, twin studies, and adoption studies, each providing unique...
Human Genetics01:28

Human Genetics

Human genetics provides a profound framework for understanding the interplay between genetic predispositions and human psychology. At the heart of this discipline lies the study of how genes influence physical traits, behaviors, and susceptibility to diseases. Each person carries a unique genetic code that subtly or significantly shapes their psychological and behavioral landscape.
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...