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Infant inflammation predicts childhood emotional and behavioral problems and partially mediates socioeconomic

Cindy Pham1, Siroon Bekkering2, Martin O'Hely3

  • 1Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia.

Brain, Behavior, and Immunity
|May 26, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Infant inflammation, measured by Glycoprotein acetyls (GlycA), is linked to emotional and behavioral problems (EBP) in children. Early life inflammation also mediates the effects of socioeconomic disadvantage on EBP.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Neurodevelopment
  • Inflammation Research

Background:

  • Emotional and behavioral problems (EBP) are prevalent in children.
  • Socioeconomic disadvantage is a known risk factor for EBP and can influence inflammation.
  • The specific role of early-life inflammation in the development of childhood EBP remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between infant inflammatory biomarkers and subsequent EBP.
  • To examine the relationship between early life environmental factors and childhood EBP.
  • To determine if infant inflammation mediates the link between environmental factors and EBP.

Main Methods:

  • Quantified inflammatory biomarkers (Glycoprotein acetyls [GlycA] and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hsCRP]) at birth and 12 months in the Barwon Infant Study cohort.
  • Collected data on demographic, prenatal, and perinatal factors.
  • Assessed internalizing and externalizing problems at age two using the Child Behavior Checklist and analyzed associations using multivariable regression and mediation analyses.

Main Results:

  • Elevated GlycA levels at birth were significantly associated with increased internalizing problems at age two.
  • Inflammation at birth showed a stronger association with later EBP compared to inflammation at 12 months.
  • GlycA at birth partially mediated the effects of lower income, multiparity, and more older siblings on EBP; hsCRP and externalizing problems showed weaker patterns.

Conclusions:

  • Infant GlycA levels are positively associated with childhood EBP.
  • Early-life inflammation, particularly at birth, may play a role in mediating the impact of socioeconomic disadvantage on EBP.
  • Prenatal and perinatal inflammation could be relevant factors in early neurodevelopment and emotional health.
Abstract

Keywords:
Birth cohort studyChildrenEBPEmotional and behavioral problemsExternalizingGlycAGlycoprotein acetylsHigh sensitivity C-reactive proteinInflammationInternalizingLongitudinalSocioeconomic disadvantagehsCRP

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