Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-11-01DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106435
Oludamilola Adeshina , Tara P. Menon , Ayushi Ambekar , Collin Tanchanco , Jordan Darden
The earlier a baby is born, the greater the risk for developing complications, particularly relating to the development of the brain and neurological development. Common conditions seen with premature infants are periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), also known as white matter injury, intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), and hydrocephalus. These conditions may result in varying degrees of structural damage to the brain parenchyma. This paper aims to discuss the shared pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical presentation, and current treatment approaches for PVL, IVH and hydrocephalus in premature infants with a focus on future research directions at improving neurodevelopmental outcomes. While the basic science continues to evolve rapidly, it is essential that future work prioritizes clinical translatability. Our review highlights an urgent need for therapies that balance efficacy and safety in these vulnerable patient populations. Collaborative efforts between clinicians and researchers will be vital to bridge this gap and ultimately improve outcomes for preterm infants affected by PVL, IVH, and hydrocephalus.
{"title":"Exploring the neurological impact of prematurity: Shared mechanisms in periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), and hydrocephalus","authors":"Oludamilola Adeshina , Tara P. Menon , Ayushi Ambekar , Collin Tanchanco , Jordan Darden","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106435","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106435","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The earlier a baby is born, the greater the risk for developing complications, particularly relating to the development of the brain and neurological development. Common conditions seen with premature infants are periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), also known as white matter injury, intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), and hydrocephalus. These conditions may result in varying degrees of structural damage to the brain parenchyma. This paper aims to discuss the shared pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical presentation, and current treatment approaches for PVL, IVH and hydrocephalus in premature infants with a focus on future research directions at improving neurodevelopmental outcomes. While the basic science continues to evolve rapidly, it is essential that future work prioritizes clinical translatability. Our review highlights an urgent need for therapies that balance efficacy and safety in these vulnerable patient populations. Collaborative efforts between clinicians and researchers will be vital to bridge this gap and ultimately improve outcomes for preterm infants affected by PVL, IVH, and hydrocephalus.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"212 ","pages":"Article 106435"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145450541","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}
Responsive caregiving is a key component of nurturing care and crucial for early child development. While responsive caregiving has been examined in multiple studies, a comprehensive review summarizing findings from these studies across diverse caregiver, child, cultural, and socio-economic contexts is currently lacking.
Methods
We conducted a scoping review to synthesize evidence on (1) caregiver, child, and contextual factors influencing responsive caregiving and (2) association between responsive caregiving and children's neurodevelopment and mental health. We included peer-reviewed English articles describing responsive caregiving for children aged 0–8 years. Articles were systematically searched in PubMed, Web of Science, APA PsychInfo, APA PsycArticles, SocINDEX, Google Scholar, and the reference lists of included articles. Relevant data were extracted, collated, and synthesized into descriptive summaries and associations with children's development.
Results
We retrieved 7412 unique studies for title/abstract screening and 541 full-texts were screened and 138 studies met the inclusion criteria. Caregiver characteristics, including caregiver type, maternal health, and demographics, influenced responsive caregiving, with notable differences between mothers and fathers. Child-level factors, such as developmental disabilities, age, term or preterm birth status, and gender, also shaped responsive caregiving. Cultural context and socio-economic status also influenced responsive caregiving across populations. Language development was the most frequently reported with responsive caregiving.
Conclusion
This scoping review maps how caregiver, child, and contextual factors influence responsive caregiving. Significant gaps remain in understanding caregiving in the under-researched Global South settings. Policymakers and practitioners should consider socio-cultural contexts, along with the pathways and mechanisms, when designing inclusive interventions that strengthen caregiving and support child development.
响应性照料是养育照料的关键组成部分，对儿童早期发展至关重要。虽然已有多项研究对响应式护理进行了研究，但目前还缺乏一项综合综述，总结了不同护理者、儿童、文化和社会经济背景下这些研究的结果。方法本研究对影响反应性照料的照料者、儿童和环境因素以及反应性照料与儿童神经发育和心理健康之间的关系进行综述。我们纳入了同行评议的英文文章，这些文章描述了0-8岁儿童的响应式护理。系统检索PubMed、Web of Science、APA PsychInfo、APA PsycArticles、SocINDEX、谷歌Scholar以及收录文章的参考文献列表。对相关数据进行提取、整理，并将其综合成描述性的总结和与儿童发展的关联。结果我们检索了7412项独立研究进行标题/摘要筛选，筛选了541篇全文，其中138项研究符合纳入标准。照顾者特征，包括照顾者类型、产妇健康和人口统计，影响响应性照顾，母亲和父亲之间存在显著差异。儿童层面的因素，如发育障碍、年龄、足月或早产状况以及性别，也影响了响应性护理。文化背景和社会经济地位也影响了所有人群的响应性护理。语言发展是最常见的反应性护理。结论：本综述描绘了照料者、儿童和环境因素如何影响响应性照料。在研究不足的全球南方环境中，对护理的理解仍存在重大差距。政策制定者和从业人员在设计加强照顾和支持儿童发展的包容性干预措施时，应考虑社会文化背景以及途径和机制。
{"title":"A scoping review of responsive caregiving in diverse populations and its association with child development","authors":"Eunice Lobo , Sandeep Mahapatra , Joshua Jeong , Giridhara Rathnaiah Babu , Prashanth Nuggehalli Srinivas , Debarati Mukherjee , Onno C.P. van Schayck","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106424","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106424","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Responsive caregiving is a key component of nurturing care and crucial for early child development. While responsive caregiving has been examined in multiple studies, a comprehensive review summarizing findings from these studies across diverse caregiver, child, cultural, and socio-economic contexts is currently lacking.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We conducted a scoping review to synthesize evidence on (1) caregiver, child, and contextual factors influencing responsive caregiving and (2) association between responsive caregiving and children's neurodevelopment and mental health. We included peer-reviewed English articles describing responsive caregiving for children aged 0–8 years. Articles were systematically searched in PubMed, Web of Science, APA PsychInfo, APA PsycArticles, SocINDEX, Google Scholar, and the reference lists of included articles. Relevant data were extracted, collated, and synthesized into descriptive summaries and associations with children's development.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>We retrieved 7412 unique studies for title/abstract screening and 541 full-texts were screened and 138 studies met the inclusion criteria. Caregiver characteristics, including caregiver type, maternal health, and demographics, influenced responsive caregiving, with notable differences between mothers and fathers. Child-level factors, such as developmental disabilities, age, term or preterm birth status, and gender, also shaped responsive caregiving. Cultural context and socio-economic status also influenced responsive caregiving across populations. Language development was the most frequently reported with responsive caregiving.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This scoping review maps how caregiver, child, and contextual factors influence responsive caregiving. Significant gaps remain in understanding caregiving in the under-researched Global South settings. Policymakers and practitioners should consider socio-cultural contexts, along with the pathways and mechanisms, when designing inclusive interventions that strengthen caregiving and support child development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"212 ","pages":"Article 106424"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145369778","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}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-10-26DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106425
Radhika S. Amin , Mark S. Orlando , Sanjiv B. Amin
Background
In studies of term infants, in-utero low level lead exposure was associated with developmental neurotoxicity, including abnormal auditory neural myelination (ANM). However, this association has not been well-studied in premature infants who may be more susceptible to lead associated developmental neurotoxicity.
Aim
To evaluate if low level in-utero lead exposure is associated with developmental neurotoxicity as evaluated by ANM in premature infants.
Methods
A prospective observational study was performed in singleton infants 24–33 weeks gestational age (GA). Cord blood lead level was measured using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. Auditory brainstem evoked response (ABR) was performed in each ear at 35 weeks post-menstrual age (PMA) to evaluate inter-peak latencies (IPL), a measure of ANM.
Results
A total of 103 infants were studied. The mean (standard deviation) GA was 29.3 (1.8) weeks. The mean (range) cord blood lead level was 0.54 (0.065–5.30) ug/dL. On multiple linear regression analyses, controlling for confounders, cord lead levels were not associated (p > 0.05) with right ear IPLs (beta coefficients, 95 % confidence intervals): I-III (−0.001, −0.014–0.012), III-V (0.005, −0.007–0.018), or I-V (0.002, −0.015–0.020). There was also no association (p > 0.05) with left ear IPLs: I-III (−0.002, −0.017–0.012), III-V (−0.003, −0.015–0.008), or I-V (−0.006, −0.026–0.013).
Conclusion
Our findings suggest that in-utero low level lead exposure of ≤5.30 μg/dL is not associated with adverse effects on ANM when evaluated at 35 weeks PMA in infants ≤33 weeks GA.
{"title":"In utero lead exposure and auditory neural myelination in premature infants","authors":"Radhika S. Amin , Mark S. Orlando , Sanjiv B. Amin","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106425","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106425","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>In studies of term infants, in-utero low level lead exposure was associated with developmental neurotoxicity, including abnormal auditory neural myelination (ANM). However, this association has not been well-studied in premature infants who may be more susceptible to lead associated developmental neurotoxicity.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>To evaluate if low level in-utero lead exposure is associated with developmental neurotoxicity as evaluated by ANM in premature infants.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A prospective observational study was performed in singleton infants 24–33 weeks gestational age (GA). Cord blood lead level was measured using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. Auditory brainstem evoked response (ABR) was performed in each ear at 35 weeks post-menstrual age (PMA) to evaluate inter-peak latencies (IPL), a measure of ANM.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 103 infants were studied. The mean (standard deviation) GA was 29.3 (1.8) weeks. The mean (range) cord blood lead level was 0.54 (0.065–5.30) ug/dL. On multiple linear regression analyses, controlling for confounders, cord lead levels were not associated (p > 0.05) with right ear IPLs (beta coefficients, 95 % confidence intervals): I-III (−0.001, −0.014–0.012), III-V (0.005, −0.007–0.018), or I-V (0.002, −0.015–0.020). There was also no association (p > 0.05) with left ear IPLs: I-III (−0.002, −0.017–0.012), III-V (−0.003, −0.015–0.008), or I-V (−0.006, −0.026–0.013).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Our findings suggest that in-utero low level lead exposure of ≤5.30 μg/dL is not associated with adverse effects on ANM when evaluated at 35 weeks PMA in infants ≤33 weeks GA.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"212 ","pages":"Article 106425"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145415005","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}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-10-27DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106426
Meng-Wei Ge , Wei Du , Lu-Ting Shen , Ur-Rehman Attiq , Wei Li , Xi-Yuan Peng , Li Shi , Juan Miao , Rui Feng , Kang Zhong , Si-Qi Gao , Hong-Lin Chen
Objectives
To thoroughly explore how exposure to heat or cold influences the preterm birth (PTB) risk in different time windows.
Methods
Embase, Web of Science, PubMed and Scopus were systematically searched for studies about the association of abnormal temperature exposure and PTB risk from inception to March 2025. Corresponding data like the time window of temperature exposure, temperature, and PTB prevalence etc. were extracted. A random effects model was employed to merge effect estimates (risk ratios, RR) in the statistical analysis, stratified by temperature percentile and exposure time window, and a total of six independent meta-analyses were performed. This research was carried out and documented in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) reporting guidelines.
Results
This study incorporated 32 studies. High temperatures within one week before delivery significantly increased PTB risk (RR = 1.05, 95 % CI: 1.02–1.08), particularly in subtropical regions (RR = 1.09, 95 % CI: 1.01–1.18), developing countries (RR = 1.06, 95 %CI: 1.01–1.12), and prospective studies (RR = 1.23, 95 % CI: 1.02, 1.49). For exposure windows of 1–4 weeks before delivery, a positive association was found (RR = 1.07, 95 % CI: 1.02–1.12), with subtropical regions at highest risk (RR = 1.10, 95 % CI: 1.01–1.20). Exposure beyond four weeks before delivery also increased PTB risk (RR = 1.20, 95 % CI: 1.00–1.44). Cold exposure did not significantly increase PTB risk, but did so more than four weeks (RR = 1.21, 95 % CI: 1.05–1.39).
Conclusions
This study indicates that prenatal high-temperature exposure is associated with an elevated risk of preterm birth, particularly during early pregnancy and in subtropical climates. The impact of cold exposure on PTB is unclear, but highlights the need for climate-resilient prenatal care amid global warming, including heat health warnings and cooling aid. This evidence is vital for tackling climate change's health risks to mothers and infants.
{"title":"Extreme temperature and preterm birth: Time windows and geographical disparities","authors":"Meng-Wei Ge , Wei Du , Lu-Ting Shen , Ur-Rehman Attiq , Wei Li , Xi-Yuan Peng , Li Shi , Juan Miao , Rui Feng , Kang Zhong , Si-Qi Gao , Hong-Lin Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106426","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106426","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>To thoroughly explore how exposure to heat or cold influences the preterm birth (PTB) risk in different time windows.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Embase, Web of Science, PubMed and Scopus were systematically searched for studies about the association of abnormal temperature exposure and PTB risk from inception to March 2025. Corresponding data like the time window of temperature exposure, temperature, and PTB prevalence etc. were extracted. A random effects model was employed to merge effect estimates (risk ratios, RR) in the statistical analysis, stratified by temperature percentile and exposure time window, and a total of six independent meta-analyses were performed. This research was carried out and documented in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) reporting guidelines.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>This study incorporated 32 studies. High temperatures within one week before delivery significantly increased PTB risk (RR = 1.05, 95 % CI: 1.02–1.08), particularly in subtropical regions (RR = 1.09, 95 % CI: 1.01–1.18), developing countries (RR = 1.06, 95 %CI: 1.01–1.12), and prospective studies (RR = 1.23, 95 % CI: 1.02, 1.49). For exposure windows of 1–4 weeks before delivery, a positive association was found (RR = 1.07, 95 % CI: 1.02–1.12), with subtropical regions at highest risk (RR = 1.10, 95 % CI: 1.01–1.20). Exposure beyond four weeks before delivery also increased PTB risk (RR = 1.20, 95 % CI: 1.00–1.44). Cold exposure did not significantly increase PTB risk, but did so more than four weeks (RR = 1.21, 95 % CI: 1.05–1.39).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This study indicates that prenatal high-temperature exposure is associated with an elevated risk of preterm birth, particularly during early pregnancy and in subtropical climates. The impact of cold exposure on PTB is unclear, but highlights the need for climate-resilient prenatal care amid global warming, including heat health warnings and cooling aid. This evidence is vital for tackling climate change's health risks to mothers and infants.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"212 ","pages":"Article 106426"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145415004","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}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-09-24DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106399
Aleksandra Pietrzyk , Justyna Czech-Kowalska , Michał Zarzecki , Agata Leśniewska , Agata Pleskaczyńska , Ewa Kowalska-Ciszek , Katarzyna Patla , Joanna Klimiuk-Balas , Dariusz Gruszfeld
Background and aims
Neopterin is a marker of cellular immune activation during viral and parasitic infections, with levels typically declining during treatment. Elevated neopterin levels have been observed in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in patients with neuroinfections. This prospective case-control study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of neopterin concentrations in body fluids in congenital cytomegalovirus infection (cCMV).
Methods
Neopterin concentrations were measured in serum, urine and CSF of neonates with confirmed cCMV and compared with a control group. Clinical and audiological examination, biochemical tests, neuroimaging, viral loud in blood and urine and CMV DNA in CSF were performed at baseline and during treatment.
Results
The study group included 58 infants with cCMV (45 (78 %) symptomatic). There were higher baseline neopterin concentrations in the study group than in the control group. Baseline serum neopterin concentrations were higher in infants with intrauterine growth restriction, microcephaly, hepatosplenomegaly, petechiae and with hearing loss. There were higher neopterin concentrations in CSF in infants with clinical symptoms, hearing loss, and those with neuroimaging abnormalities. Neopterin concentrations in body fluids demonstrated good discriminatory ability as a diagnostic marker for cCMV, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) values of 0. 977 for CSF, 0.895 for serum and 0.87 for urine. Neopterin concentrations were decreasing during treatment.
Conclusions
Serum neopterin concentration may serve as an diagnostic marker reflecting disease severity and can be useful for monitoring the effectiveness of the antiviral treatment. Neopterin concentration in CSF indicates the role of the local immune response of CNS injury.
{"title":"Neopterin as a marker of congenital cytomegalovirus infection","authors":"Aleksandra Pietrzyk , Justyna Czech-Kowalska , Michał Zarzecki , Agata Leśniewska , Agata Pleskaczyńska , Ewa Kowalska-Ciszek , Katarzyna Patla , Joanna Klimiuk-Balas , Dariusz Gruszfeld","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106399","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106399","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background and aims</h3><div>Neopterin is a marker of cellular immune activation during viral and parasitic infections, with levels typically declining during treatment. Elevated neopterin levels have been observed in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in patients with neuroinfections. This prospective case-control study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of neopterin concentrations in body fluids in congenital cytomegalovirus infection (cCMV).</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Neopterin concentrations were measured in serum, urine and CSF of neonates with confirmed cCMV and compared with a control group. Clinical and audiological examination, biochemical tests, neuroimaging, viral loud in blood and urine and CMV DNA in CSF were performed at baseline and during treatment.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The study group included 58 infants with cCMV (45 (78 %) symptomatic). There were higher baseline neopterin concentrations in the study group than in the control group. Baseline serum neopterin concentrations were higher in infants with intrauterine growth restriction, microcephaly, hepatosplenomegaly, petechiae and with hearing loss. There were higher neopterin concentrations in CSF in infants with clinical symptoms, hearing loss, and those with neuroimaging abnormalities. Neopterin concentrations in body fluids demonstrated good discriminatory ability as a diagnostic marker for cCMV, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) values of 0. 977 for CSF, 0.895 for serum and 0.87 for urine. Neopterin concentrations were decreasing during treatment.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Serum neopterin concentration may serve as an diagnostic marker reflecting disease severity and can be useful for monitoring the effectiveness of the antiviral treatment. Neopterin concentration in CSF indicates the role of the local immune response of CNS injury.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"211 ","pages":"Article 106399"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145198802","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}
This study investigated associations between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), activity behavior (i.e. physical activity and sports participation), physical literacy (motivation, confidence, knowledge and understanding), and parental sports participation in children with critical congenital heart disease (CCHD), and explore differences in children with a single ventricle physiology (SVP) and children with biventricular physiology (BVP).
Methods
Ninety children with CCHD (median age 10.0 [7.0–13.0] years) participated in this prospective observational study. CRF was measured through cardiopulmonary exercise testing (VO₂peak). Activity behavior, physical literacy, and parental sports participation were assessed using validated questionnaires.
Results
CRF was moderately associated with physical activity (r = 0.36, p < .001) and weakly associated with motivation and confidence (r = 0.25, p = .019). No association was found between CRF and sports participation. Children's sports participation was positively associated with maternal (r = 0.23, p = .034) and paternal (r = 0.23, p = .042) sports participation, as well as with motivation and confidence (r = 0.28, p = .009). Children with a SVP (n = 11) had significantly lower CRF than those with BVP (n = 79) (p < .001). No other differences were found between children with a SVP and children with a BVP.
Conclusion
CRF is positively associated with physical activity, motivation and confidence in children with CCHD. Additionally, parental sports participation is associated with children's sports participation. These findings suggest integrating a physical literacy and family-centered approach in interventions aimed to enhance CRF in children with CCHD.
{"title":"Associations between cardiorespiratory fitness, activity behavior, physical literacy and parental sports participation in children with a critical congenital heart disease","authors":"J.J. Noordstar , M.C.A. Sprong , F.C. Lenderink , M.G. Slieker , E.H.J. Hulzebos , T. Takken","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106397","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106397","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study investigated associations between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), activity behavior (i.e. physical activity and sports participation), physical literacy (motivation, confidence, knowledge and understanding), and parental sports participation in children with critical congenital heart disease (CCHD), and explore differences in children with a single ventricle physiology (SVP) and children with biventricular physiology (BVP).</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Ninety children with CCHD (median age 10.0 [7.0–13.0] years) participated in this prospective observational study. CRF was measured through cardiopulmonary exercise testing (VO₂peak). Activity behavior, physical literacy, and parental sports participation were assessed using validated questionnaires.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>CRF was moderately associated with physical activity (<em>r</em> = 0.36, <em>p</em> < .001) and weakly associated with motivation and confidence (<em>r</em> = 0.25, <em>p</em> = .019). No association was found between CRF and sports participation. Children's sports participation was positively associated with maternal (<em>r</em> = 0.23, <em>p</em> = .034) and paternal (r = 0.23, <em>p</em> = .042) sports participation, as well as with motivation and confidence (<em>r</em> = 0.28, <em>p</em> = .009). Children with a SVP (<em>n</em> = 11) had significantly lower CRF than those with BVP (<em>n</em> = 79) (<em>p</em> < .001). No other differences were found between children with a SVP and children with a BVP.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>CRF is positively associated with physical activity, motivation and confidence in children with CCHD. Additionally, parental sports participation is associated with children's sports participation. These findings suggest integrating a physical literacy and family-centered approach in interventions aimed to enhance CRF in children with CCHD.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"211 ","pages":"Article 106397"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145148430","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}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-10-06DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106404
Deepak Louis , Ava Nykiforuk , Sapna Oberoi , Monica Sirski , Ruben Alvaro , Mary Seshia M , Diane Moddemann , Lisa M. Lix , Chelsea Ruth , Allan Garland
Objective
To evaluate the association between preterm birth (<37 weeks) and high school graduation.
Methods
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.
Results
Of 260,561 eligible adolescents, 9846 preterm (5.7 %; <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 (<28 wks-65 %, 28–33 wks-75 %, 34–36 wks-77 % and term-78 %). Only adolescents born <28 weeks and 28–33 wks, not 34–36 wks, had lower odds of high school graduation compared to term adolescents (<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 <28 wks, 28–33 wks, 34–36 weeks and term respectively.
Conclusions
Adolescents born extremely and very-moderate preterm had lower high school graduation rates compared to those born term in this population-based cohort.
{"title":"High school graduation among adolescents born preterm: A Canadian population-based cohort study","authors":"Deepak Louis , Ava Nykiforuk , Sapna Oberoi , Monica Sirski , Ruben Alvaro , Mary Seshia M , Diane Moddemann , Lisa M. Lix , Chelsea Ruth , 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 (<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 %; <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 (<28 wks-65 %, 28–33 wks-75 %, 34–36 wks-77 % and term-78 %). Only adolescents born <28 weeks and 28–33 wks, not 34–36 wks, had lower odds of high school graduation compared to term adolescents (<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 <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}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-10-03DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106407
Ayten Bilgin
Background
Preterm birth is associated with difficulties in mental health and peer relationships in adolescence; however, most preterm adolescents do not experience these difficulties.
Objective
To apply machine learning models to identify key early predictors of better mental health and peer relationships in preterm adolescents.
Methods
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.
Results
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.
Conclusions
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.
{"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}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-09-19DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106398
D. Ilyka , Y. Jiang , J. Begum-Ali , L. Mason , A. Gui , T. Gliga , S. Lloyd-Fox , E. Jones , T. Charman , M.H. Johnson , The BASIS/STAARS Study Team
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; n = 37), elevated likelihood of ASD (EL-ASD; n = 55), ADHD (EL-ADHD; n = 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 (n = 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.
非典型社会注意是自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）和注意缺陷/多动障碍（ADHD）的一个特征，但这一点尚未在无玩具的自然亲子互动中进行研究，这些互动可能会导致ADHD （EL-ADHD）的发生。我们对4-7个月大的婴儿在典型可能性（TL; n = 37）、ASD （EL-ASD; n = 55）、ADHD （EL-ADHD; n = 13）或两者兼有（EL-ASD + ADHD; n = 13）的婴儿中记录的看护者-婴儿自由游戏视频中的相互注视进行编码。在8-12个月时使用眼动追踪面部弹出任务测量面部定向反应，并在36个月时建立ASD研究诊断。结果显示，与TL组相比，EL组参与了更多的相互凝视，揭示了神经发育可能性中二元注意的广泛变化。然而，相互凝视的持续时间并不能区分3岁时被诊断为ASD的婴儿（n = 14）。此外，只有在EL-ASD组中，更大的早期相互凝视预示着随后对面部的定向减少。这种关联主要是由那些在3岁时被诊断为ASD的人驱动的，可能表明ASD特异性的发育途径。这些发现强调了探索早期社会注意的自然主义范式的价值，以及需要更大的联合分析EL-ASD和EL-ADHD队列来完善典型和非典型婴儿社会注意的神经发育模型。
{"title":"Mutual gaze and later social attention development in infants at typical and elevated familial likelihood for ASD and/or ADHD","authors":"D. Ilyka , Y. Jiang , J. Begum-Ali , L. Mason , A. Gui , T. Gliga , S. Lloyd-Fox , E. Jones , T. Charman , M.H. Johnson , 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}
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.
{"title":"Hidden heroes in breast milk: The dual roles of phospholipids and sphingolipids in infant immunity and brain development","authors":"Yequan Xu , Xinkai Zhao , Zhenyu Ding , Shanyu Jiang , 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}
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