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Impaired head circumference growth and behavioural problems in childhood: Longitudinal findings from the MINA-Brazil

Isabel Giacomini1, Eduardo Villamor2, Bárbara Hatzlhoffer Lourenço1

  • 1Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology
|October 4, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Impaired head circumference growth in girls from birth to age 5 is linked to more internalizing behaviors. This head growth pattern was not associated with externalizing behaviors in girls or any behaviors in boys.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric neurology
  • Developmental psychology
  • Child health research

Background:

  • Inconsistent evidence exists regarding the link between early head circumference (HC) growth and preschooler behavioral outcomes.
  • Understanding this relationship is crucial for early identification and intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the sex-specific association between head circumference (HC) growth from birth to 5 years and internalizing or externalizing behavioral problems at age 5.
  • To determine if HC growth patterns predict specific behavioral outcomes in young children.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the MINA-Brazil birth cohort (303 girls, 318 boys).
  • Assessed head circumference changes from birth to 5 years, converting to sex- and age-specific z-scores (HCZ).
  • Employed multivariable linear regression to analyze associations between HCZ change quintiles and behavioral scores (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire), examining sex-specific nonlinear relationships.

Main Results:

  • A significant inverse, nonlinear association was found between HC growth and internalizing problems in girls.
  • Girls in higher quintiles of HC growth showed lower mean internalizing problem scores compared to those in the lowest quintile.
  • This association was primarily influenced by HC growth within the first two years; no link was found with externalizing behaviors in either sex.

Conclusions:

  • Impaired head circumference growth up to age 5 is associated with increased internalizing problem scores in girls.
  • No significant association was observed between HC growth and externalizing behaviors in either sex.
  • Findings highlight a potential sex-specific early growth marker for internalizing behavioral issues in children.
Abstract

Keywords:
behaviourbirth cohortcephalometrylongitudinal studypreschool childrenproblem behaviour

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