Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026
10:57
Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children
Published on: August 22, 2012
Infection, nutrition and cognitive performance in children
1Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, UK.
Parasitology
|January 1, 1993
Summary
This study reviews how malnutrition and parasitic infections impact children's cognitive development. It explores intelligence (IQ) and developmental quotients (DQ) within an information processing framework.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Science
- Developmental Psychology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Cognition and intelligence are complex, interconnected constructs.
- The information processing model provides a framework for understanding human cognition.
- Malnutrition and parasitic infections are significant environmental factors affecting child development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the effects of malnutrition and parasitic infection on cognitive performance and development in children.
- To explain intelligence quotient (IQ) and developmental quotient (DQ) within the information processing model.
- To propose a speculative hypothesis on the psychological impact of parasitic infections.
Main Methods:
- Selective literature review on malnutrition, parasitic infections, and cognitive outcomes.
- Explanation of the information processing model of cognition.
- Conceptual outlining of a hypothesis regarding psychological effects of parasitic infections.
Main Results:
- Evidence suggests malnutrition and parasitic infections negatively affect cognitive performance and development.
- The study outlines the concepts of IQ and DQ.
- A hypothesis is presented regarding the psychological mechanisms through which parasitic infections may impair cognition.
Conclusions:
- Malnutrition and parasitic infections pose risks to children's cognitive development.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the specific psychological effects of parasitic infections.
- Appropriate models and measures are crucial for studying developmental trajectories.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin create...
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin create...
01:29Environmental Influences on Intelligence
Despite the strong genetic influence on traits like intelligence, environmental factors significantly shape outcomes. For example, while over 90% of height variation is due to genetic differences, environmental factors such as nutrition also have a notable impact. Similarly, for intelligence, changes in a child's surroundings can significantly alter their IQ. Research shows that enriched environments boost children's academic success and help them develop key cognitive skills. Children from...
01:30Information Processing Approach
The information-processing theory of cognitive development centers on fundamental mental processes, including attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. Researchers in this field examine how cognitive abilities, such as working memory, evolve and influence children's overall development. Studies indicate that children with stronger working memory tend to excel in reading comprehension, math, and problem-solving compared to peers with less efficient memory skills. Low working memory is also...
01:30Development of Human Microbiota
The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
01:28Development of the Oral Microbiota
The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
01:22Gut-Brain Axis
The gut–brain axis is a bidirectional communication system that connects the gastrointestinal tract and the brain. This interaction is mediated through multiple pathways, including the vagus nerve, hormonal signals, immune responses, and chemical messengers produced by gut microbes.Microbial Contributions to Brain FunctionGut microbiota contributes significantly to brain function by producing neuroactive compounds. These include neuroactive compounds that influence neurotransmitters such as...