[Analysis of microcephaly and related factors among 31 902 infants of Chongqing, China]
1School of Public Health and Management; Research Center for Medicine and Social Development; Innovation Center for Social Risk Governance in Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
Insights
Head circumference development in Chongqing infants was satisfactory. Factors like birth conditions and feeding patterns significantly influence microcephaly risk.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Child Development
Background:
- Head circumference is a key indicator of infant brain development.
- Microcephaly, a condition of small head size, can have long-term implications for child health.
- Understanding developmental trends and risk factors is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess head circumference development in infants aged 7-24 months in Chongqing, China.
- To identify factors associated with microcephaly in this population.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 31,902 infants (February 2010 - November 2014) in Chongqing was analyzed.
- Data collected included demographics, birth conditions, feeding patterns, and parental education.
- Statistical analyses, including t-tests and logistic regression, were employed to determine relationships.
Main Results:
- Male infants exhibited larger head circumferences than females across all age groups (P<0.001).
- The overall microcephaly rate was 3.2%.
- Lower birth weight and preterm birth were associated with increased microcephaly risk, while factors like C-section, formula/mixed feeding, and urban location were associated with reduced risk.
Conclusions:
- Infant head circumference development in Chongqing was generally adequate.
- Family environment, birth circumstances, and infant feeding practices are significant determinants of microcephaly.
Objective:
To analyze the status of head circumference development and related factors of microcephaly among infants in Chongqing, China.
Methods:
We included infants aged 7-24 months who had received child health care services at a Chongqing hospital from 1 February 2010 to 1 November 2014. We collected data of sex, age, head circumference, childbirth conditions, mother's pregnancy history, infant feeding patterns, and parents' educational level. Ultimately, 31 902 infants (17 511 males and 14 391 females) were analyzed. The t-test was used to compare head circumference by sex, and logistic regression models used to analyze the related factors of microcephaly. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated.
Results:
Among the different age groups (7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-18, and 19-24 months), head circumferences for males were (44.3±1.3), (45.2±1.4), (46.1±1.5), (46.8±1.4), and (47.8±1.4) cm, respectively; for females, head circumferences were (43.1±1.3), (44.1±1.3), (44.8±1.4), (45.7±1.4), and (46.7±1.3)cm, respectively. Head circumference for males were all greater than those for girls (t-values were 32.09, 27.73, 32.21, 41.66, and 32.03, respectively; P<0.001). The rate of microcephaly was 3.2% (1 025/31 902) among infants. Birth weights and fetal times were related to microcephaly in infants, with OR (95% CI) values 0.15(0.13-0.18) and 1.31(1.11-1.54), respectively. Factors including urban location, delayed birth, cesarean section, formula feeding, and mixed feeding patterns might reduce the risks of microcephaly compared with suburban location, term birth, eutocia, and breastfeeding; OR (95% CI) values were 0.60 (0.52-0.68), 0.55 (0.44-0.70), 0.76 (0.67-0.87), 0.46 (0.32-0.67), and 0.51 (0.34-0.75), respectively.
Conclusion:
Head circumference development among infants in Chongqing was satisfactory. Family environmental factors, birth conditions, and feeding patterns were found to be important factors related to microcephaly.
