The Relationship Between Perinatal and Postnatal Factors and Cognitive Development of Healthy Toddlers

Background: Cognitive development during childhood has significant implications for an individual's cognitive functioning throughout life. Perinatal and postnatal factors may influence this function. Objectives: In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between perinatal and postnatal factors and cognitive development in healthy toddlers aged 18 – 22 months. Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, we examined 50 toddlers born between March 2015 and March 2016 at a teaching hospital in Zahedan, Iran. This study focused on perinatal and neonatal risk factors based on the results of the Bayley-3 test. Data were analyzed using Mann–Whitney U, Kruskal–Wallis, and Pearson correlation coefficient tests. Results: Analysis revealed significant correlations between several perinatal factors and subsequent cognitive performance in toddlers. Greater maternal chronological age at the time of parturition, higher levels of mother's attained education, increased neonatal weight at delivery, augmented body weight in the toddler phase, as well as the documented occurrence of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia within the initial postpartum period, demonstrated meaningful associations with enhanced cognitive functioning as assessed during the toddler stage of development. Conclusions: Based on the results, it is advised that pregnancy commences at a maternal age that circumvents risks of very young childbearing. Offspring growth should be closely tracked, and neonatal jaundice promptly treated, as these perinatal factors impact cognitive performance. Giving priority to these factors improves a child's chances of healthy cognitive development, which is essential for success in life.