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Published on: August 25, 2014
Association of perinatal factors with neurodevelopmental referrals in a population-based cohort study in Japan
Yuki Kyono1, Masahiro Nishiyama2,3, Aoi Kawamura1
1Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-2, Kusunoki-Cho, Chuo-Ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0017, Japan.
Insights
Perinatal factors like male infant gender, cesarean delivery, and lack of social support are linked to neurodevelopmental referrals in 3-year-olds. Maternal psychiatric history and postpartum depression also showed associations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neuroscience
- Public Health
Background:
- Neurodevelopmental disorders have unknown causes, but environmental risk factors are gaining attention.
- Identifying perinatal factors is crucial for early intervention and support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate perinatal factors associated with neurodevelopmental referrals in 3-year-old children.
- To analyze the impact of maternal and infant characteristics on developmental outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective, longitudinal, population-based cohort study.
- Utilized data from infant health examinations in Kobe City (2014-2016).
- Analyzed associations between perinatal factors and neurodevelopmental referrals in 16,506 children.
Main Results:
- Male infant gender (aOR 2.51), cesarean delivery (aOR 1.39), and maternal psychiatric consultation history (aOR 1.56) were significant risk factors.
- Lack of social support during pregnancy (aOR 1.99), no post-delivery social assistance (aOR 1.49), and high Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale scores (aOR 1.36) were also associated.
- These factors were significantly linked to neurodevelopmental referrals at age 3.
Conclusions:
- Six perinatal factors identified: male infant gender, cesarean section, maternal psychiatric history, high EPDS score, lack of social support during pregnancy, and lack of post-delivery social assistance.
- These findings highlight the importance of social support and maternal mental health in child development.
- The study provides insights for targeted interventions and support for at-risk populations.
Abstract:
Although the causes of neurodevelopmental disorders remain unknown, several environmental risk factors have attracted considerable attention. We conducted a retrospective, longitudinal, population-based cohort study using data from infant health examinations of children born to mothers with pregnancies between April 1, 2014 and March 31, 2016 in Kobe City to identify the perinatal factors associated with neurodevelopmental referrals in 3-year-old children. There were 15,223 and 1283 children in the normal and referral groups, respectively. Neurodevelopmental referrals at the health checkup for 3-year-old children were significantly associated with the lack of social support during pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.99, 99% CI 1.14-3.45, p = 0.001), history of psychiatric consultation (aOR 1.56, 99% CI 1.10-2.22, p = 0.001), no social assistance post-delivery (aOR 1.49, 99% CI 1.03-2.16, p = 0.006), Edinburgh Post-natal Depression Scale (EPDS) score ≥ 9 (aOR 1.36, 99% CI 1.01-1.84, p = 0.008), infant gender (male) (aOR 2.51, 99% CI 2.05-3.06, p < 0.001), and cesarean delivery (aOR 1.39, 99% CI 1.11-1.75, p < 0.001). In conclusion, this exploratory study in the general Japanese population identified six perinatal factors associated with neurodevelopmental referrals in 3-year-old children: infant gender (male), cesarean section, maternal history of psychiatric consultation, EPDS score ≥ 9, lack of social support during pregnancy, and no social assistance post-delivery.
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