Early human development最新文献

{"title":"Effectiveness of multisensory stimulation and priming (MuSSAP) upper limb training in 3–8 months old infants with unilateral brain lesion – a retrospective clinical cohort study","authors":"Anke Verhaegh ,&nbsp;Lisa Mailleux ,&nbsp;Maria Nijhuis-van der Sanden ,&nbsp;Pauline Aarts ,&nbsp;Michèl Willemsen ,&nbsp;Brenda Groen","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106388","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106388","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Multi Sensory Stimulation And Priming (MuSSAP) is an early upper limb training for infants at high risk of unilateral cerebral palsy (CP). MuSSAP is designed to enhance awareness of the affected upper limb facilitating initiation of goal-directed movements. This study assesses the effectiveness of an 8-week MuSSAP training on manual ability in a clinical setting.</div></div><div><h3>Participants and methods</h3><div>Twenty-eight infants (mean corrected age at T0: 5.0 months) were included in a retrospective clinical cohort study with assessments pre- (T0), post- (T1) and at 8-week follow-up (T2) using the Hand Assessment for Infants (HAI). The primary outcome was the HAI ‘affected hand score’, secondary outcomes included the ‘unit score’ and item 1 (‘initiates to side’). Data were analysed using linear mixed models.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>HAI scores improved between T0-T1 (<em>n</em> = 25) for both affected hand score (estimate: 3.2, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.001), and unit score (estimate: 9.7, p &lt; 0.001). Scores remained stable between T1-T2. The number of infants who never initiated or only when restrained/sometimes initiated or only when prompted/almost always spontaneously initiated goal-directed movements changed from 8/13/7 at T0 to 5/5/15 at T1 (three missing). Of the five infants who did not initiate goal-directed movements after training, three had drug-resistant epilepsy.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>MuSSAP appears to improve manual ability in infants at high risk of unilateral CP in a clinical setting. A larger randomized controlled trial incorporating brain-based measures is needed to further investigate its effectiveness and working mechanism, especially for infants who do not initiate goal-directed movements with the affected upper limb.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"210 ","pages":"Article 106388"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145010117","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":"Association between 2D:4D digit ratios and metabolic markers and hormonal parameters in children with premature adrenarche: A cross-sectional study from Türkiye","authors":"Pınar Koç ,&nbsp;Ayça Kömürlüoğlu ,&nbsp;Nurullah Çelik","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106391","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106391","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The appearance of pubic or axillary hair before the age of eight in girls or nine in boys, without other signs of puberty, is defined as premature adrenarche (PA) and may be an early sign of the metabolic syndrome. The second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D), thought to reflect prenatal androgen exposure, has been associated with a variety of behavioral, metabolic, and hormonal conditions.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To evaluate the relationship between 2D:4D digit ratios and anthropometric, metabolic, and hormonal parameters in children with PA.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This cross-sectional study evaluated a Turkish sample of 49 children diagnosed with PA and 41 healthy controls, who were matched for age and gender. Anthropometric measurements, pubertal staging, biochemical and hormonal profiles, and bilateral 2D:4D ratios were recorded. Insulin resistance was assessed using the HOMA-IR, FGIR and QUICKI indices. Correlations between digit ratios and metabolic/hormonal markers were analyzed.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Children with PA had significantly higher Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference, fasting glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR and DHEA-S levels, and lower QUICKI and FGIR values compared to controls (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.05). No significant differences were found in 2D:4D ratios between groups. However, in the PA group, the left-hand 2D:4D ratio showed a negative correlation with DHEA-S and systolic blood pressure standard deviation scores (SDS) and a positive correlation with the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), suggesting early hormonal and cardiovascular alterations in PA. In multivariable regression analysis, only DHEA-S found as an independent negative predictor of the left-hand 2D:4D ratio.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Although 2D:4D ratios may not distinguish between PA and controls, the left-hand 2D:4D ratio may serve as a subtle anthropometric marker reflecting hormonal and metabolic variations in children with PA. In multivariable regression, only DHEA-S remained an independent negative predictor of the left-hand 2D:4D ratio, highlighting the role of adrenal androgens in shaping digit ratio patterns in PA. Given the well-established link between PA and an increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome during adolescence, analysing digit ratios may provide additional value in the early assessment of metabolic risk.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"210 ","pages":"Article 106391"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145010116","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":"Empowering parents in neonatal decision making using Q-methodology: Development of a decision guidance framework for necrotizing enterocolitis","authors":"Rosa Verhoeven ,&nbsp;Elisabeth M.W. Kooi ,&nbsp;Sylvia A. Obermann-Borst ,&nbsp;Nanon H.M. Labrie ,&nbsp;Rosa Geurtzen ,&nbsp;A.A. Eduard Verhagen ,&nbsp;Jan B.F. Hulscher","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106372","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106372","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background/objectives</h3><div>Given the high risk of peri-operative mortality and postoperative morbidities in surgical necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), parents are faced with an extraordinarily difficult and emotionally charged decision. Together with healthcare professionals they must weigh whether pursuing surgery is in the infant's best interest or if palliative care would be more appropriate. The purpose of this study is to explore how parents make this complex decision and to investigate whether Q-methodology could serve as a decision guidance framework for the empowerment of parents.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We aimed to identify distinct decision-making profiles by analyzing how parents ranked 24 statements relevant to the decision. These statements were based on previously identified influential decision factors and supplemented with items reflecting broader approaches to complex decision-making. Through a by-person factor analysis, we uncovered shared perspectives among participants.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 53 parents of both healthy and affected children participated, 42 of whom could be categorized into one of five distinct parent profiles. These profiles show varying degrees of emotional involvement, reliance on physician guidance, and consideration of long-term consequences.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Our findings suggest that Q-methodology can reveal meaningful patterns in how parents approach critical medical decisions. These insights could inform the development of a decision guidance framework tailored to parental needs. This framework could enhance understanding, promote shared decision making, and improve communication between parents and healthcare professionals. Further research should focus on refining and validating the framework to ensure it effectively supports families navigating high-stakes neonatal care.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"210 ","pages":"Article 106372"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144917825","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":"Growth deficits and craniofacial dynamics in preschool children with microcephaly: A comprehensive study","authors":"Anusha Doraiswamy ,&nbsp;Neha Sudhera ,&nbsp;Arushi Gahlot Saini ,&nbsp;A.K. Bhalla ,&nbsp;Pratibha Singhi ,&nbsp;Harvinder Kaur","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106392","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106392","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This study aimed to examine physical and craniofacial growth patterns in preschool-aged children with microcephaly and evaluate their potential clinical significance.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A total of 130 children (76 boys, 54 girls) aged 1–5 years with microcephaly (head circumference &lt;−3 standard deviations) were enrolled in this prospective study at a tertiary care hospital, with 130 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Nine craniofacial dimensions (head circumference, head length, head width, physiognomic facial length, morphological facial length, minimum frontal diameter, bizygomatic diameter, bigonial diameter, and total jaw height) were measured every six months using standardized techniques and instruments. Body weight and height were also recorded. Data analysis involved comparison of growth parameters using Mann-Whitney tests and correlation analysis to explore relationships between head circumference and other physical measurements.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Children with microcephaly exhibited significantly reduced body weight, height, and cranial dimensions compared to controls (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.001). There was a higher incidence of underweight (36.69 %), stunted (40.89 %), and wasted (34.45 %) children within this group. The majority of microcephalic children had a brachycephalic head shape, with broad faces and wide foreheads. Facial measurements differed by sex: boys showed shorter physiognomic facial lengths, while girls had longer faces, suggesting sex-specific craniofacial trends in microcephaly. A significant correlation was found between head circumference and body dimensions, though jaw-related measurements were independent.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Children with microcephaly demonstrated considerable growth deficits and altered craniofacial development emphasizing the need for comprehensive assessments. The findings highlight the importance of early, targeted interventions to address the complex growth and developmental challenges in these children.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"210 ","pages":"Article 106392"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145018811","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":"Associations of birth size with BMI trajectories and fluctuation across adolescence and adulthood: A longitudinal study of two Finnish twin cohorts","authors":"Alvaro Obeso ,&nbsp;Aline Jelenkovic ,&nbsp;Gabin Drouard ,&nbsp;Jaakko Kaprio ,&nbsp;Karri Silventoinen","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106373","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106373","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>The influence of intrauterine conditions on later weight gain remains unclear. We examined the associations of birth size characteristics (weight, length, and ponderal index (PI)) with body mass index (BMI) trajectories and fluctuation in adolescence and adulthood using a twin design, which provides insights into the role of genetic and environmental factors.</div></div><div><h3>Data and methods</h3><div>Data from two Finnish twin cohorts including 9850 twin individuals (48 % males) were used. Weight and length or height were measured at birth and at different ages during adolescence and adulthood (11.5–37 years in FinnTwin12; 16–34 years in FinnTwin16). BMI trajectories across different stages of adolescence and adulthood were calculated as the difference in BMI divided by the time elapsed between measurements. BMI fluctuation was assessed as the variance of BMI trajectories at each stage. Linear regression models were used to examine the associations of birth size characteristics with BMI trajectories and fluctuation in adolescence and adulthood. Interactions between baseline BMI and birth characteristics were assessed. Within-pair analysis was performed to assess whether the identified associations persist while controlling for genetic effects.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>BMI trajectories during early adolescence were positively associated with birth PI and negatively with birth weight and length. BMI trajectories during middle adolescence were positively associated with birth length and negatively with birth weight. PI showed a negative association with BMI trajectories in late adolescence. Moreover, BMI fluctuation in adulthood was negatively associated with birth weight and length. No significant interactions were found between birth size characteristics and baseline BMI in explaining BMI trajectories and fluctuation at different stages of adolescence and adulthood. Among the identified associations, none remained significant in within-pair analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Our findings suggest that birth size has a long-term influence on BMI development. However, these associations may not be due to the intrauterine environment but may rather indicate the role of shared genetic factors.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"210 ","pages":"Article 106373"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144893025","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":"Variation in digit ratio (2D:4D) across different types of military services in Poland","authors":"Marek Kociuba ,&nbsp;Sławomir Kozieł ,&nbsp;Raja Chakraborty ,&nbsp;Zofia Ignasiak ,&nbsp;Piotr Sorokowski","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106371","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106371","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The relationship between the second (2D) and fourth finger (4D) of the hand (2D:4D) is considered to be a proxy indicator of prenatal- testosterone (PT) and estrogen (PE) exposure in the first trimester of pregnancy. A lower 2D:4D indicates relatively higher PT exposure and vice versa. The 2D:4D is generally higher in women than in men. Lower 2D:4D is associated with greater physical ability, strength, better athletic performance, and a propensity for jobs that require more physical fitness and are more risky.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>The aim of the present study was to examine the differences in 2D:4D, if any, between three groups of men in Poland: military students (N = 250), soldiers of the Land Forces (N = 106) and volunteers of the Territorial Defense Force (N = 202).</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>This cross-sectional study was carried out in Military University of Land Forces (MULF) in Wroclaw, Poland. The measurements included body height, body weight and the lengths of the second and fourth fingers in both hand of each participant.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The results showed significantly lower 2D:4D in land forces soldiers and military students than those belonged to the Territorial Defense Force.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The results indicated the possible impact of fetal androgens on specific human abilities as well as choices for challenging occupations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"210 ","pages":"Article 106371"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144893026","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":"Brain ultrasound radiomics identify textural differences in basal ganglia and white matter between full term newborns HIV-exposed uninfected and HIV-unexposed in Botswana.","authors":"Laith R Sultan, Karen I Ramirez-Suarez, Sara Rae Schenkel, Monica Miranda Schaeubinger, Carmen Cerron-Vela, Samuel W Kgole, Gosego Masasa, Boitshepo Phale, Joseph Makhema, Thuso Mokane, Elizabeth D Lowenthal, Kathleen M Powis, Hansel J Otero","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106368","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106368","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Over 1 million infants born annually with fetal exposure to HIV and maternal antiretroviral treatment (ART) who remain HIV-uninfected (HEU) are at higher risk of neurodevelopmental delays compared to infants HIV-unexposed (HU).</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>We explored the use of brain ultrasound radiomics, specifically texture analysis, as an early imaging neurodevelopmental biomarker, comparing findings by newborn in utero HIV exposure status.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Brain ultrasound was performed on full-term newborns (≥ 37 weeks gestation) enrolled in a prospective observational study in Botswana. Radiomic ultrasound features, including first-order statistics, run-length, and co-occurrence matrix parameters, were extracted from the basal ganglia and periventricular white matter. Statistical comparisons were conducted based on fetal exposure to maternal HIV. The diagnostic performance of individual features was assessed, and logistic regression was used to combine the features for overall performance evaluation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Thirty-three infants (HEU: 20, HU: 13) were included in the analysis. The basal ganglia of HEU infants exhibited significantly lower heterogeneity (176.6 ± 10.76 vs. 205.97 ± 13.26, p = 0.04) and entropy (0.37 ± 0.01 vs. 0.41 ± 0.01, p = 0.03), and marginally lower gray level non-uniformity (310.04 ± 15.32 vs. 352.37 ± 24.20, p = 0.06) compared to HU infants, suggesting reduced parenchymal complexity. These combined radiomic features yielded an AUC of 0.72 with a specificity of 0.86. Similar trends were observed in the white matter, where HEU infants demonstrated marginally lower heterogeneity (191.66 ± 14.32 vs. 231.76 ± 17.34, p = 0.06). Gray level non-uniformity and run length non-uniformity were significantly lower in the HEU group (1996.87 ± 157.06 vs. 2487.43 ± 223.67, p = 0.04 and 284.66 ± 20.37 vs. 406.61 ± 47.77, p = 0.01, respectively). The combined white matter model demonstrated an AUC of 0.76 and a sensitivity of 0.86, indicating greater discriminatory power compared to the basal ganglia.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Ultrasound radiomics reveals distinct differences in brain texture between HEU and HU newborns, with significant findings in both basal ganglia and white matter features. These results highlight the potential of radiomics in identifying subtle neuroanatomical variations. Further research is needed to explore the neurodevelopmental implications of these findings.</p>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"210 ","pages":"106368"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12638123/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144803769","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The effect of maternal blood glucose control on infant body composition at birth.","authors":"Lauren E Staiger, Kara Wong Ramsey, James Davis, Catherine Tarleton, Sheree Kuo","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106347","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106347","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The objectives of this study were to determine whether infants born to mothers with gestational or pregestational diabetes (IDM) and infants born to mothers with uncomplicated pregnancies have differences in percent body fat at birth, and to examine the relationship between glycemic control in pregnancy and infant body fat.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>Percent body fat was measured in 132 IDM in the well-baby nursery using air displacement plethysmography and compared to a previously published cohort of 249 healthy control infants using t-tests. Linear regression models were used to examine the relationship between maternal glycemic control and infant percent body fat at birth.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The difference in body fat between IDM and infants born to mothers with uncomplicated pregnancies was not clinically significant (12.9 ± 5 % vs 13.9 ± 4 %, p < 0.05). Among IDM, increasing maternal fasting blood glucose values and increasing percentages of elevated post-prandial glucose values were associated with increasing infant percent body fat. (β=0.19 and 0.08 respectively, P < 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our cohort of healthy IDM that remained admitted to the term nursery did not have a clinically significant difference in percent body fat compared to control infants born to mothers with uncomplicated pregnancies. Among IDM, elevated maternal glucose levels correlated with increased infant percent body fat, suggesting glycemic control in pregnancy can affect body composition within this population.</p>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"210 ","pages":"106347"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12593238/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144811949","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Parental Five-to-Fifteen questionnaire in identifying motor difficulties at 5 years in children with later motor impairment: A longitudinal follow-up study of very preterm infants","authors":"Eeva Mäkilä ,&nbsp;Mikael O. Ekblad ,&nbsp;Päivi Rautava ,&nbsp;Anna Nyman ,&nbsp;Annika Lind ,&nbsp;Helena Lapinleimu ,&nbsp;Leena Haataja ,&nbsp;Sirkku Setänen ,&nbsp;on behalf of the PIPARI Study Group","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106348","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106348","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Children born very preterm have an increased risk for motor impairments. We aimed to evaluate motor performance at 5 years in children born very preterm with and without motor impairment using the parental questionnaire Five-to-Fifteen (FTF).</div><div>This prospective follow-up study included 132 children born very preterm (gestational age &lt; 32 weeks and/or birth weight ≤ 1500 g) without neurodevelopmental impairment at 2 years. Parents filled out the FTF regarding the neurodevelopment of their 5-year-old children. Higher scores indicated more difficulties. The Movement Assessment Battery for Children — Second Edition (MABC-2) was performed to evaluate the motor outcome at 11 years. Total test scores ≤15th percentile denoted motor impairment.</div><div>There were 23 (17.4 %) children with motor impairment. A 1-point increase in the FTF motor skills mean scores increased the risk of motor impairment to 19-fold (OR 19.1, 95 % CI 3.5–104.5, <em>p</em> = 0.001). Children with motor impairment had higher mean scores in the FTF motor skills compared to children without motor impairment (mean 0.56 vs. 0.26, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.001), but also in Executive functions (0.63 vs. 0.40, <em>p</em> = 0.001), Perception (0.35 vs. 0.18, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.001), Memory (0.51 vs. 0.31 <em>p</em> = 0.01) and Language (0.45 vs. 0.25, <em>p</em> = 0.02), respectively.</div><div>Motor impairment was almost 20 times more likely when motor difficulties increased by 1 point in the FTF questionnaire. Moreover, children with motor impairment had more difficulties in all other developmental domains of the FTF. Based on these findings, the FTF parental questionnaire might be a useful tool in children's preventive health care to early identify motor impairment and its negative associations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"210 ","pages":"Article 106348"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144781409","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":"Pubertal growth spurt does not occur in some normally growing Polish girls, suggesting an evolutionary origin of adolescent growth polymorphism","authors":"Maciej Henneberg ,&nbsp;Iwona Rosset ,&nbsp;Elżbieta Żądzińska","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106358","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106358","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>Numerous child growth studies showed the adolescent growth spurt in body height to the extent that its presence became a dogma applied to humans as a species. However, observations of growth in the 19th c. and in small traditional societies showed for some children a steady growth without visible pubertal spurt. Recently, substantial variation in the age at puberty and the magnitude of growth acceleration during puberty have been observed.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Longitudinal height growth data of 110 girls aged 6–18 years (1314 height measurements in total) from a homogenous socio-economic situation were analysed by fitting polynomial regressions on age and assessing their first and second derivatives (growth velocity and acceleration).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Among 110 girls, 18 (16 %) showed a steady growth with no spurts, while others' accelerations were highly variable. Girls who experienced a growth spurt had a mean age at peak height velocity of 11.2 years and a mean peak height velocity of 69.3 mm, comparable to many other studies. There was a negative correlation between adult height and variation in individual accelerations (r-0.24, <em>p</em> = 0.01) – girls whose accelerations differed less yearly (lower spurt) achieved greater adult heights.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Human growth at adolescence is highly variable, polymorphic, to the extent that the growth in height without the distinct pubertal spurt is also a normal polymorphic variant. Girls who had no significant growth spurt attained the same adult height at exactly the same age as their “spurting” peers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"210 ","pages":"Article 106358"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144781410","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}