Early human development最新文献

{"title":"High school graduation among adolescents born preterm: A Canadian population-based cohort study","authors":"Deepak Louis ,&nbsp;Ava Nykiforuk ,&nbsp;Sapna Oberoi ,&nbsp;Monica Sirski ,&nbsp;Ruben Alvaro ,&nbsp;Mary Seshia M ,&nbsp;Diane Moddemann ,&nbsp;Lisa M. Lix ,&nbsp;Chelsea Ruth ,&nbsp;Allan Garland","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106404","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106404","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To evaluate the association between preterm birth (&lt;37 weeks) and high school graduation.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Population-based cohort of adolescents born in Manitoba, Canada between 1986 and 2002 whose graduation data were available in the administrative database. High school graduation (primary outcome) was defined as completion of 30 course credits in grades 9–12 without needing a modified (M) course or an individualized education plan (IEP) and finishing high school within 4 years of entering grade 9. Logistic regression model tested the association between preterm birth and primary outcome.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Of 260,561 eligible adolescents, 9846 preterm (5.7 %; &lt;28 wks = 238, 28–33 wks = 1997, 34–36 wks = 7611) and 162,660 term (≥37 weeks) adolescents were included. The median age at entering grade 9 was 14 years [13,14] among both preterm and term adolescents. The % of high school graduation was lowest among extremely preterm children (&lt;28 wks-65 %, 28–33 wks-75 %, 34–36 wks-77 % and term-78 %). Only adolescents born &lt;28 weeks and 28–33 wks, not 34–36 wks, had lower odds of high school graduation compared to term adolescents (&lt;28 wks aOR: 0.49; 95 % CI: 0.37–0.66; 28–33 wks aOR: 0.78; 95 % CI: 0.69–0.88; 34–36 wks aOR: 0.96; 95 % CI: 0.90–1.02). Those needing a M course or IEP were 21 %, 7 %, 5 % and 4 % while the need for school assistance was 20 %, 5 %, 3 % and 2 % among &lt;28 wks, 28–33 wks, 34–36 weeks and term respectively.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Adolescents born extremely and very-moderate preterm had lower high school graduation rates compared to those born term in this population-based cohort.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"211 ","pages":"Article 106404"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145257564","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mental health and peer relationship problems in preterm born adolescents: Which factors predict absence of symptoms?","authors":"Ayten Bilgin","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106407","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106407","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Preterm birth is associated with difficulties in mental health and peer relationships in adolescence; however, most preterm adolescents do not experience these difficulties.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To apply machine learning models to identify key early predictors of better mental health and peer relationships in preterm adolescents.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The participants of the current study included 1472 preterm and 16,389 full-term individuals from the UK Millennium Cohort Study (2000−02). Early factors included a range of measurements across the following broad categories in infancy and early childhood: sociodemographic, family structure and environment, child-related birth and infancy factors, and early childhood factors. Mental health and peer relationships were assessed at 11, 14, and 17 years using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The prediction model in preterm born adolescents had the highest accuracy for 17 years of age and in hyperactivity/inattention disorders (75 %, 82.7 %, 92 %, at 11, 14 and 17 years respectively) and conduct/oppositional disorders (80 %, 78 %, 87.1 %, respectively). A similar pattern was found in full-term born adolescents. Family structure and environment related factors in early childhood contributed to better mental health and peer relationships problems in both preterm and full-term adolescents. In preterm born adolescents, motor skills in infancy and better cognitive development and emotional regulation in early childhood predicted better mental health and peer relationships.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This study suggests that machine learning can help paediatricians differentiate preterm children who will not develop mental health symptoms and peer relationship problems from those at risk for developing these problems in adolescence.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"211 ","pages":"Article 106407"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145244182","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hidden heroes in breast milk: The dual roles of phospholipids and sphingolipids in infant immunity and brain development","authors":"Yequan Xu ,&nbsp;Xinkai Zhao ,&nbsp;Zhenyu Ding ,&nbsp;Shanyu Jiang ,&nbsp;Renqiang Yu","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106409","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106409","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Compared with formula-fed infants, those who are breast-fed consistently demonstrate superior immune maturation, neurodevelopment, and cognitive performance, an advantage attributable, in part, to the complex bioactive lipidome of human milk. This review highlights the mechanistic roles of milk-derived phospholipids and sphingolipids in orchestrating these benefits. It critically evaluates their emerging clinical applications in preventing infection, allergy, and neurodevelopmental disorders, thereby establishing a framework for future strategies to optimize infant nutrition and developmental trajectories.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"211 ","pages":"Article 106409"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145354028","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mutual gaze and later social attention development in infants at typical and elevated familial likelihood for ASD and/or ADHD","authors":"D. Ilyka ,&nbsp;Y. Jiang ,&nbsp;J. Begum-Ali ,&nbsp;L. Mason ,&nbsp;A. Gui ,&nbsp;T. Gliga ,&nbsp;S. Lloyd-Fox ,&nbsp;E. Jones ,&nbsp;T. Charman ,&nbsp;M.H. Johnson ,&nbsp;The BASIS/STAARS Study Team","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106398","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106398","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Atypical social attention is a feature of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), yet this has not yet been studied during toy-free naturalistic parent-infant interactions in infants at elevated likelihood of developing ADHD (EL-ADHD). We coded mutual gaze from caregiver–infant free-play videos recorded at 4–7 months in infants with typical likelihood (TL; <em>n</em> = 37), elevated likelihood of ASD (EL-ASD; <em>n</em> = 55), ADHD (EL-ADHD; <em>n</em> = 13) or both (EL-ASD + ADHD; n = 13). Face-orienting responses were measured using an eye tracking face pop-out task at 8–12 months, and ASD research diagnosis was established at 36 months. Results showed that EL groups engaged in more mutual gaze than TL peers, revealing a broad alteration in dyadic attention across neurodevelopmental likelihood. However, mutual-gaze duration did not differentiate infants who were later given an ASD diagnosis at age 3 years (<em>n</em> = 14). Furthermore, only in the EL-ASD group greater early mutual gaze predicted reduced subsequent orienting to faces. This association was mainly driven by those diagnosed with ASD at age 3, potentially indicating an ASD-specific developmental pathway. These findings highlight the value of naturalistic paradigms for probing early social attention and the need for larger, jointly analysed EL-ASD and EL-ADHD cohorts to refine neurodevelopmental models of typical and atypical infant social attention.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"211 ","pages":"Article 106398"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145257557","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Gut microbiota as a risk and protective factor in neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis: An integrative review","authors":"Maria Júlia Onofre ,&nbsp;Cesar Augusto Cirino Silva ,&nbsp;Isadora Caixeta da Silveira Ferreira ,&nbsp;Denise Von Dolinger de Brito Röder","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106401","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106401","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is characterized by inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and intestinal necrosis, primarily affecting premature neonates. It is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in this population. This article aims to analyze, based on recent scientific literature, the relationship between intestinal microbiota and the development of NEC in premature neonates, highlighting the main pathophysiological mechanisms and prevention strategies. We conducted an integrative literature review, with search in the Virtual Health Library (VHL) and Pubmed databases, applying the Patient, Intervention, Comparison and Outcomes (PICO) strategy. A total of 178 articles were initially identified, with the application of validated tools to assess the methodological quality of the studies. The final sample included 13 international articles. The main findings show intestinal dysbiosis, activation of immune pathways and metabolic alterations as key elements in the pathogenesis of NEC. On the other hand, the use of probiotics and enrichment of breast milk were associated with beneficial effects. In conclusion, NEC is a multifactorial disease associated with intestinal dysbiosis, with an increase in pathogenic bacteria and a reduction in beneficial bacteria such as <em>Bifidobacterium</em> spp. The activation of pro-inflammatory TLR4 receptors by bacterial LPS favors intestinal damage. Factors such as prematurity, use of antimicrobials, and changes in the composition of breast milk favor microbiota imbalance. Probiotics and breastfeeding are promising strategies for preventing this situation. Therefore, this article gathers pertinent information that can help in understanding the factors involved in NEC.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"211 ","pages":"Article 106401"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145119494","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The impact of early intervention on early spontaneous movements of infants: a systematic review","authors":"Dilara Bozgan-Baş ,&nbsp;Bilge Nur Yardımcı-Lokmanoğlu ,&nbsp;Akmer Mutlu","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106403","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106403","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Early intervention in infants can impact the process of neural differentiation during the period when the brain is highly plastic. However, it is unclear whether early intervention can similarly affect early spontaneous movements of infants.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>To determine the effects of early intervention approaches on early spontaneous movements in infants.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Studies were eligible if they enrolled infants in any early intervention program and assessed early spontaneous movements using a general movements assessment pre- and post-intervention. Five databases were searched and the PRISMA guideline was followed. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool-2 and the Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies of Interventions were used to identify risk of bias. GRADE approach was used to assess the certainty of the evidence.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Ten studies (involving 633 participants) were included. Most of the studies had a high or serious risk of bias, and the certainty of the evidence was low to very low. The studies varied in their intervention approaches, intensity, and inclusion criteria. The most common early intervention methods were motor interventions, such as physiotherapy, or parental involvement. In four out of five studies which showed an improvement, this improvement occurred during the fidgety period.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Early intervention in infants could influence the spontaneous movements, particularly during the fidgety period. The generalizability and comparability of the results are limited due to the heterogeneity of the methods, the low certainty of evidence and the high risk of bias. Future research should investigate the impact of high-level evidence approaches on early spontaneous movements.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"211 ","pages":"Article 106403"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145205983","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prenatal hormonal signature (2D:4D) and dental maturation in childhood: a prospective study","authors":"Türkan Ünal ,&nbsp;Fatma Nur Kızılay ,&nbsp;Emine Gülşen","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106410","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106410","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The second-to-fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) is a stable anthropometric marker thought to reflect prenatal androgen–estrogen balance. Although 2D:4D has been linked to developmental timing, its association with dental maturation remains unclear. This study evaluated whether 2D:4D relates to dental development in children and assessed its potential as a complementary biomarker.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>In this study, 300 healthy children (150 girls, 150 boys; 6–12 years) were enrolled. Bilateral 2D:4D was measured with digital calipers (0.01 mm accuracy). Dental age was determined from panoramic radiographs using Demirjian's method. Analyses included <em>t</em>-tests/ANOVA, Pearson correlations, and multiple linear regression with chronological age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and 2D:4D as covariates. Hand-specific and sex-stratified comparisons were pre-specified; multiple testing was controlled using the Benjamini–Hochberg false-discovery rate (FDR) procedure, with significance set at <em>q</em> &lt; 0.05 (false discovery rate–adjusted <em>p</em>-value).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Mean chronological age was 9.10 ± 1.99 years, dental age 9.09 ± 2.03 years, and BMI 16.51 ± 1.89 kg/m². 2D:4D showed clear sex differences (higher in girls, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.001). Chronological and dental ages were strongly correlated (<em>r</em> = 0.976, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.001). In the overall sample, dental age correlated weakly with 2D:4D (right: <em>r</em> = 0.155, <em>p</em> = 0.007; left: <em>r</em> = 0.135, <em>p</em> = 0.019). Sex-stratified analyses indicated a positive but non-significant trend in girls (right: <em>r</em> = 0.135, <em>p</em> = 0.099; left: <em>r</em> = 0.110, <em>p</em> = 0.181) and no association in boys (all <em>p</em> &gt; 0.05). In multivariable models, chronological age was the strongest predictor (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.001); 2D:4D contributed independently (<em>β</em> = 0.12–0.16, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.001), while BMI was not significant.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>2D:4D shows a weak association with dental maturation at the population level. Within-sex analyses reveal a non-significant positive trend in girls and no association in boys. As a simple, non-invasive measure, 2D:4D may provide supportive information alongside radiographic methods; confirmation in larger, longitudinal, sex-specific cohorts is warranted.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"211 ","pages":"Article 106410"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145307219","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Predicting mid-term hearing and developmental outcome in clinically inapparent congenital cytomegalovirus infection with hearing loss at birth","authors":"Pui Khi Chung ,&nbsp;Fleurtje A.J. Schornagel ,&nbsp;J. Goeman ,&nbsp;Ann C.T.M. Vossen","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106412","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106412","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>objective</h3><div>To assess the predictive value of clinical factors in children with clinically inapparent congenital cytomegalovirus infection (cCMV) and sensorineural hearing loss, for hearing and neurodevelopmental outcome.</div></div><div><h3>Study design</h3><div>This was a post hoc analysis of data from a nonrandomized trial performed in 37 infants (25 treated with 6 weeks valganciclovir, 12 controls) with cCMV and hearing loss, diagnosed after failing Newborn Hearing Screening. Candidate predictors were head circumference, birth weight, gestational age, neuroimaging results, and baseline hearing loss laterality. The primary outcome was the absolute change in hearing in the best ear (dB) from baseline to follow-up at 18–22 months. Secondary outcomes included change in hearing per ear (‘total-ear’ analysis) and neurodevelopmental outcomes measured by the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID-III) at 18–22 months. Per candidate factor, bivariate linear regression models adjusted for treatment were performed.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>No correlations were found between candidate predictors and the primary hearing outcome. Linear correlations were observed for neurodevelopmental outcomes: severity of neuroimaging abnormalities was associated with cognitive and motor BSID-III scores (both <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001) and head circumference with motor score (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001). No severe motor delay was seen in children with a head circumference above −1 SD, and infants with mild or moderate neuroimaging abnormalities generally had normal development or mild delay. Severe cognitive and motor delays were observed only in those with severe neuroimaging findings.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>In children with clinically inapparent cCMV and hearing loss, head circumference and neuroimaging severity may be useful for predicting cognitive and motor outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"211 ","pages":"Article 106412"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145307230","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Development of children at age 7–8 years after intrauterine exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) — Results from the Dutch prospective cohort SMOK study","authors":"Christine N. van der Veere,&nbsp;Anne E. den Heijer,&nbsp;Arend F. Bos","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106405","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106405","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are used by 2–6 % of pregnant women. Safety regarding the neurodevelopment of the child remains unknown.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>To determine the effect of prenatal exposure to SSRIs on children's outcome at age 7–8 years, adjusted for maternal depression and anxiety.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This study is part of the Dutch SMOK study. Women (<em>n</em> = 107) were included during pregnancy. At age 7–8 years development of 79 children was examined using tests and questionnaires regarding intellectual ability, executive functioning, attention, social responsiveness, behavior and motor development. Maternal depression and anxiety was determined during pregnancy and at the children's assessment. Differences between SSRI-exposed and non-exposed children were tested using multiple linear regression analyses.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>All children had lower IQ scores after prenatal exposure to SSRIs but significance was lost after adjustment for maternal psychopathology. No differences in outcome were found on attention and motor development. Boys, not girls, scored significantly lower on Theory of Mind tests when they had been exposed to SSRIs (total norm score 7.9 ± 0.8 vs. 9.6 ± 0.5, <em>p</em> = 0.04; verbal norm score 8.6 ± 0.9 vs. 10.7 ± 0.6, <em>p</em> = 0.02). Scores on the Social Responsiveness Scale measuring social impairment were significantly higher in SSRI-exposed boys (50 ± 2 vs. 45 ± 2, <em>p</em> = 0.03). In girls, outcome on these domains was explained by maternal psychopathology, not by prenatal exposure to SSRIs.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Prenatal exposure to SSRIs is associated with increased risk of behavioral problems and social impairment associated with autism spectrum disorders only in boys.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"211 ","pages":"Article 106405"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145212022","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Identifying cognitive vulnerability in school-aged children born preterm: The role of neonatal and early-life factors","authors":"Symeon Dimitrios Daskalou ,&nbsp;Nikolaos Gerosideris ,&nbsp;Georgia Tsakni ,&nbsp;Pinelopi Vlotinou ,&nbsp;Georgios Bablekos ,&nbsp;Ioanna Giannoula Katsouri","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106396","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106396","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Children born preterm are at increased risk for cognitive difficulties. While gestational age is a known predictor, the combined influence of early-life variables such as breastfeeding, NICU stay, and birth weight on later cognitive outcomes remains less understood.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To compare cognitive performance between preterm and non preterm school-aged children and identify neonatal and postnatal predictors of verbal and non verbal intelligence.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A total of 140 children aged 6–12 years (70 preterm, 70 non preterm) were assessed using Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices (CPM) and Crichton Vocabulary Scale (CVS). Mann–Whitney <em>U</em> tests and multiple linear regressions were used to examine group differences and predictors of cognitive scores. Predictors included gestational age, NICU stay, socioeconomic status (SES), breastfeeding, birth weight, age, and sex. VIF values were used to assess multicollinearity.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Preterm children scored significantly lower than non preterm peers on both CPM (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.001, <em>r</em> = − 0.27) and CVS (p &lt; 0.001, <em>r</em> = − 0.43). Regression models showed that gestational age was a consistent predictor across both scales. Breastfeeding and higher SES were associated with higher CPM and CVS scores, while prolonged NICU stay negatively impacted CVS performance. No multicollinearity issues were detected (VIF &lt; 2.6).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Preterm birth is linked to reduced cognitive performance during middle childhood, especially in verbal reasoning. Breastfeeding and shorter NICU stay may offer protective benefits. These findings highlight the importance of early-life factors and support targeted developmental surveillance and interventions for preterm populations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"211 ","pages":"Article 106396"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145099985","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}