Profiles and predictors of child neurodevelopment and anthropometry: The maternal-infant research on environmental chemicals study.

Background: Evaluating individual health outcomes does not capture co-morbidities children experience.

Purpose: We aimed to describe profiles of child neurodevelopment and anthropometry and identify their predictors.

Methods: Using data from 501 mother-child pairs (age 3-years) in the Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals (MIREC) Study, a prospective cohort study, we developed phenotypic profiles by applying latent profile analysis to twelve neurodevelopmental and anthropometric traits. Using multinomial regression, we evaluated odds of phenotypic profiles based on maternal, sociodemographic, and child level characteristics.

Results: For neurodevelopmental outcomes, we identified three profiles characterized by Non-optimal (9%), Typical (49%), and Optimal neurodevelopment (42%). For anthropometric outcomes, we observed three profiles of Low (12%), Average (61%), and Excess Adiposity (27%). When examining joint profiles, few children had both Non-optimal neurodevelopment and Excess Adiposity (2%). Lower household income, lower birthweight, younger gestational age, decreased caregiving environment, greater maternal depressive symptoms, and male sex were associated with increased odds of being in the Non-optimal neurodevelopment profile. Higher pre-pregnancy body mass index was associated with increased odds of being in the Excess Adiposity profile.

Conclusions: Phenotypic profiles of child neurodevelopment and adiposity were associated with maternal, sociodemographic, and child level characteristics. Few children had both non-optimal neurodevelopment and excess adiposity.