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Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
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Population attributable risks of neurobehavioral disorders due to low birth weight in US children

Sandie U Ha1, Lindsay A Thompson2, Greg Kearney3

  • 1Department of Epidemiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA.

Advances in Pediatric Research
|October 24, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Low birth weight (LBW) is linked to increased risks of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), behavior and conduct disorder (BCD), and learning disability (LD) in U.S. children. These associations are more pronounced in preterm births and minority groups.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Neuroscience
  • Public Health

Background:

  • The prevalence of low birth weight (LBW) and neurobehavioral disorders (ND) has risen significantly over the past 30 years.
  • The specific contribution of LBW to the excess of ND among U.S. children remains unclear.
  • Understanding this link is crucial for public health interventions and resource allocation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between LBW and specific ND, including attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), behavior and conduct disorder (BCD), and learning disability (LD).
  • To quantify the population attributable risk (PAR) of these ND attributable to LBW in the U.S. child population.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a nationally representative cross-sectional sample of 85,637 children aged 2 to 17 years from the 2011 National Survey of Children's Health.
  • Parental reports were used to ascertain birth weight and the presence of neurobehavioral disorders.

Main Results:

  • LBW was associated with 6.0% of ASD, 2.4% of BCD, and 6.8% of LD cases.
  • No significant association was found between LBW and ADHD.
  • The impact of LBW on ND was greater among preterm infants and ethnic minority groups.

Conclusions:

  • Given that over 8% of U.S. children are born with LBW, with higher rates in minority and preterm populations, proactive planning for neurobehavioral services is essential.
  • Reducing LBW rates is a critical strategy for mitigating the burden of neurobehavioral disorders in children.
  • Aligning efforts to reduce LBW with initiatives aimed at decreasing ND can yield significant public health benefits.
Abstract

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