Early human development最新文献

The commentary delves into the implications of “assortative parenting” and “assortative cross-parenting,” as introduced by N. L. Segal, and situates these concepts within the framework of current research. It addresses the joys and complexities of raising twins, highlighting how their concurrent development stages can amplify parental favoritism and heighten the challenge of addressing each twin's unique needs. This interplay provides a rich context to investigate assortative parenting practices. Additionally, this paper contemplates the broader picture of twin studies, particularly how the care of monozygotic twins (who share 100 % of their genes) and dizygotic twins (who share 50 % of their genes, on average) may reveal the intertwined nature of genetics and environment in parenting strategies. It also proposes that twins' interactions with other family members, their spouses, and peers can offer profound insights into the phenomena of phenotypic assortative affiliation, enriching our understanding of close relational bonds.

Background

The Evolved Developmental Niche (EDN) is a millions-year-old developmental system that matches the maturational schedule of the offspring, optimizing health. Every animal has a developmental niche.

Aims

Humanity has fallen away from providing its EDN. Does it matter?

Study design

Several components of humanity's EDN were reviewed (breastfeeding, positive touch, allomothers, responsive care, free play) in relation to cardiac vagal nerve regulation, a signal of healthy development.

Focal subjects were young children.

Outcome measures

A review of research on the selected EDN components in relation to vagal nerve function was performed. Data were available for all but the allomother component, which is typically not measured by western researchers, although allomothers provide EDN components alongside parents.

Results

Apart from the lack of research on allomother effects, all these EDN components have been shown to influence cardiac vagal regulation in young children.

Conclusions

Converging evidence suggests that providing the EDN in early life may not only support aspects of a child's primal health system, but bolster capacities for social health and wellness, the cornerstone of a positive life trajectory.

Objective

Fetal face measurements in prenatal ultrasound can aid in identifying craniofacial abnormalities in the developing fetus. However, the accuracy and reliability of ultrasound measurements can be affected by factors such as fetal position, image quality, and the sonographer's expertise. This study assesses the accuracy and reliability of fetal facial measurements in prenatal ultrasound. Additionally, the temporal evolution of measurements is studied, comparing prenatal and postnatal measurements.

Methods

Three different experts located up to 23 facial landmarks in 49 prenatal 3D ultrasound scans from normal Caucasian fetuses at weeks 20, 26, and 35 of gestation. Intra- and inter-observer variability was obtained. Postnatal facial measurements were also obtained at 15 days and 1 month postpartum.

Results

Most facial landmarks exhibited low errors, with overall intra- and inter-observer errors of 1.01 mm and 1.60 mm, respectively. Landmarks on the nose were found to be the most reliable, while the most challenging ones were those located on the ears and eyes. Overall, scans obtained at 26 weeks of gestation presented the best trade-off between observer variability and landmark visibility. The temporal evolution of the measurements revealed that the lower face area had the highest rate of growth throughout the latest stages of pregnancy.

Conclusions

Craniofacial landmarks can be evaluated using 3D fetal ultrasound, especially those located on the nose, mouth, and chin. Despite its limitations, this study provides valuable insights into prenatal and postnatal biometric changes over time, which could aid in developing predictive models for postnatal measurements based on prenatal data.

Background

Early preterm (EP) born children are at risk of neurocognitive impairments persisting into adulthood. Less is known about moderately to late (MLP) preterm born children, especially after early childhood. The aim of this study was to assess neurocognitive functioning of MLP adolescents regarding intelligence, executive and attentional functioning, compared with EP and full-term (FT) adolescents.

Methods

This study was part of the Longitudinal Preterm Outcome Project (LOLLIPOP), a large community-based observational cohort study. In total 294 children (81 EP, 130 MLP, and 83 FT) were tested at age 14 to 16 years, regarding intelligence, speed of processing, attention, and executive functions. We used the Dutch version of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Third Edition-Dutch Version (WISC-III-NL), the Test of Everyday Attention for Children, and the Behavioural Assessment of the Dysexecutive Syndrome for Children. We assessed differences between preterm-born groups with the FT group as a reference.

Results

Compared to the FT group, MLP adolescents scored significantly lower on two subtasks of the WISC-III-NL, i.e. Similarities and Symbol Search. EP adolescents performed significantly lower on all neuropsychological tests than their FT peers, except for the subtask Vocabulary. The MLP adolescents scored in between FT and EP adolescents on all tasks, except for three WISC-III-NL subtasks.

Conclusions

Neurocognitive outcomes of MLP adolescents fell mostly in between outcomes of their EP and FT peers. MLPs generally performed on a low-average to average level, and appeared susceptible to a variety of moderate neurodevelopmental problems at adolescent age, which deserves attention in clinical practice.

Background and aim

Neonatal intensive care treatment, including frequently performed painful procedures and administration of analgesic drugs, can have different effects on the neurodevelopment. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the influence of pain, opiate administration, and pre-emptive opiate administration on pain threshold in animal studies in rodents, which had a brain development corresponding to preterm and term infants.

Methods

A systematic literature search of electronic data bases including CENTRAL (OVID), CINAHL (EBSCO), Embase.com, Medline (OVID), Web of Science, and PsycInfo (OVID) was conducted. A total of 42 studies examining the effect of pain (n = 38), opiate administration (n = 9), and opiate administration prior to a painful event (n = 5) in rodents were included in this analysis.

Results

The results revealed that pain (g = 0.42, 95%CI 0.16–0.67, p = 0.001) increased pain threshold leading to hypoalgesia. Pre-emptive opiate administration had the opposite effect, lowering pain threshold, when compared to pain without prior treatment (g = −1.79, 95%CI −2.71–0.86, p = 0.0001).

Differences were found in the meta regression for type of stimulus (thermal: g = 0.66, 95%CI 0.26–1.07, p = 0.001; vs. mechanical: g = 0.13, 95%CI −0.98–1.25, p = 0.81) and gestational age (b = −1.85, SE = 0.82, p = 0.027). In addition, meta regression indicated an association between higher pain thresholds and the amount of cumulative pain events (b = 0.06, SE = 0.03, p = 0.05) as well as severity of pain events (b = 0.94, SE = 0.28, p = 0.001).

Conclusion

Neonatal exposure to pain results in higher pain thresholds. However, caution is warranted in extrapolating these findings directly to premature infants. Further research is warranted to validate similar effects in clinical contexts and inform evidence-based practices in neonatal care.

Background

Prechtl's General Movement Assessment (GMA) at fidgety age (3–5 months) is a widely used tool for early detection of cerebral palsy. Further to GMA classification, detailed assessment of movement patterns at fidgety age is conducted with the Motor Optimality Score-Revised (MOS-R). Inter-rater reliability and agreement are properties that inform test application and interpretation in clinical and research settings. This study aims to establish the inter-rater reliability and agreement of the GMA classification and MOS-R in a large population-based sample.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of 773 infants from birth-cohort in Perth, Western Australia. GMA was conducted on home-recorded videos collected between 12 + 0 and 16 + 6 weeks post term age. Videos were independently scored by two masked experienced assessors. Inter-rater reliability and agreement were assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient and limits of agreement respectively for continuous variables, and Cohen's Kappa and Gwet's Agreement Coefficient, and percentage agreement respectively for discrete variables.

Results

The classification of GMA showed almost perfect reliability (AC₁ = 0.999) and agreement (99.9 %). Total MOS-R scores showed good-excellent reliability (ICC 0.857, 95 % CI 0.838–0.876) and clinically acceptable agreement (95 % limits of agreement of ±2.5 points). Substantial to almost perfect reliability and agreement were found for all MOS-R domain subscores. While MOS-R domains with higher redundancy in their categorisation have higher reliability and agreement, inter-rater reliability and agreement are substantial to almost perfect at the item level and are consistent across domains.

Conclusion

GMA at fidgety age shows clinically acceptable inter-rater reliability and agreement for GMA classification and MOS-R for population-based cohorts assessed by experienced assessors.

Background

Although pandemic-related experiences have been linked to the psychological well-being of mothers, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on infant neurodevelopmental outcomes have not been sufficiently studied.

Aims

To assess whether maternal COVID-19-related experiences (i.e., COVID-19-related health, risk, resource worries, and feelings of grief), parenting stress, and maternal self-efficacy are associated with infant neurodevelopment as measured by the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, Third Edition (ASQ-3) maternal report when infants were between 8 to 10 months of age. Furthermore, this study examined the moderating effect of maternal self-efficacy between maternal COVID-19-related experiences and infant neurodevelopment.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 122 women who were drawn from the Perinatal Experiences and COVID-19 Effects (PEACE) Study, with online surveys administered between November 2020 and August 2022.

Results

After controlling for maternal anxiety and depression symptoms and demographic factors, hierarchical regression analysis indicated that parenting stress showed no effect on ASQ-3 scores. However, more adverse COVID-19-related experiences and higher levels of maternal self-efficacy were associated with better infant neurodevelopment. Moreover, there was a significant interaction effect between maternal self-efficacy and COVID-19-related experiences on infant neurodevelopment. For mothers with moderate to high levels of self-efficacy, more adverse COVID-19-related experiences were associated with better infant neurodevelopment. For mothers with low levels of self-efficacy, more adverse COVID-19-related experiences were associated with poorer developmental outcomes in infants.

Conclusions

Under adverse conditions, confidence in caregiving may afford more optimal infant neurodevelopment. Interventions aimed at fostering maternal self-efficacy and addressing specific stressors can be valuable in promoting positive developmental trajectories for infants born during the pandemic.

Background

The study aims to compare neurological soft signs and executive functions between Toxocara-seropositive and seronegative groups in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Methods

The study included 60 boys with ADHD, aged 7–12. After blood samples were taken, the Stroop Color Word Test and Judgment of Line Orientation test (JLOT) were implemented to measure executive functions. Neurological soft signs were evaluated with Physical and Neurological Examination for Subtle Signs (PANESS).

Results

Serological tests were positive for Toxocara antibodies in 20 cases. There was no significant difference between Toxocara seropositive and seronegative regarding age, socioeconomic status, developmental stages, and ADHD severity. However, Toxocara-seropositive children had higher Stroop time and Stroop interference scores and lower JLOT scores than Toxocara-seronegative children. Furthermore, Toxocara-seropositive children exhibited more neurological soft signs, such as gait and station abnormalities, dysrhythmia, and a longer total time in timed movements compared to Toxocara-seronegative children.

Conclusion

Our study indicates a link between Toxocara-seropositivity and impaired neurological soft signs and executive functions in ADHD. Further research is needed to understand ADHD mechanisms, develop practical treatments considering immunological factors, and thoroughly evaluate how Toxocara seropositivity affects executive functions and motor skills in children with ADHD.

Background

To shorten the hospital stay in preterm infants, it is important to understand the factors extending the length of stay.

Aims

To understand how different discharge criteria affect the length of stay in preterm infants.

Study design

A retrospective comparison study.

Subjects

Preterm infants born at 28 to 31 gestational weeks in 2020–2021 in a Level IV NICU in Japan (n = 22) and a Level III NICU in Finland (n = 49).

Outcome measures

We compared the most common last discharge criteria and the postmenstrual age (PMA) between the two NICUs. The potential extending effects of each discharge criterion on the length of stay were also evaluated. The discharge criteria were classified into six categories: temperature, respiration, feeding, examination, weight limit, and family readiness.

Results

The PMA at discharge was significantly higher in Japan than in Finland: median 40.7 (interquartile range 39.9–41.3) vs. 37.9 (36.9–39.0) weeks; r = 0.58; p < 0.001. The most common last discharge criterion was the family criterion in Japan (n = 19; 86 %) and the respiration criterion in Finland (n = 43; 88 %). In Japan, the length of stay was extended by 7.9 (standard deviation [SD] 7.0) days due to a lack of family readiness for discharge and 8.7 (SD 8.7) days due to not having discharged home with a feeding tube as a common practice.

Conclusions

The length of stay of preterm infants in Japan could be notably reduced by supporting the parents' earlier readiness for discharge and allowing tube feeding at home.

Background

It is unknown how accurately the current Japanese classification system for neurodevelopmental delay based on the assessment with the Kyoto Scale of Psychological Development (KSPD) at toddlerhood and pre-school periods predicts cognitive impairment at school age.

Methods

This single-center retrospective cohort study enrolled infants born at 22–29 weeks of gestational age. At 18–24 months of corrected age and 3 years of age, the patients were categorized according to the current Japanese criteria for neurodevelopmental delay based on their overall developmental quotient calculated using the KSPD-2001. Cognitive impairment at 6 years of age was classified according to the calculated or estimated full-scale intelligence quotient. The predictability of the current Japanese classification of neurodevelopmental delay for cognitive impairment at 6 years of age was investigated.

Results

Of 566 eligible patients, 364 (64 %) completed the protocol. The current classification for the neurodevelopmental delay showed significant agreement with the severity of cognitive impairment at 6 years of age. The sensitivity and specificity of the KSPD-2001-based assessment for any cognitive impairment at 6 years of age were 0.64 and 0.74 at 18–24 months of corrected age and 0.83 and 0.70 at 3 years of age. The corresponding sensitivity and specificity for moderate/severe cognitive impairment were 0.51 and 0.96 at 18–24 months of corrected age and 0.68 and 0.95 at 3 years of age.

Conclusion

The KSPD-2001 is a useful tool to predict the severity of cognitive impairment at school age.