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Abstract: Background: Little research has examined the associations between early sleep problems and attention problems over several developmental periods. Aims: To examine whether sleep problems in infancy and early childhood are independently related to attention difficulty at 5 and 14years, and to the continuity of attention difficulties from 5 to 14years. Study design: The study was a prospective, population-based birth cohort study. Subjects: 7223 women who delivered a live, singleton child between 1981 and 1983 were recruited at the first antenatal visit. Of these, 4204 had complete information on all key measures. Outcome measures: Attention problems were assessed with items from the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) and were classified as adolescent onset (i.e. problems at 14 but not at 5); early remitter (problems at 5, no problem at 14); and persistent (i.e. at both 5 and 14). Results: At 6months, sleep problems ‘sometimes’ were associated with the early remitter group in boys. For sleep problems between 2 and 4years of age, findings were generally similar for boys and girls with strong associations with adolescent attention. Sleep problems ‘often’ were independently associated with early remitter and persistent attention problems, and ‘sometimes’ with early remitter and adolescent onset attention problems. Conclusions: Sleep problems in early childhood are an indicator of subsequent attention problems that may persist into adolescence. Whether these associations are causal requires further research, however their presence provides an opportunity for early intervention and monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Studies of the effects of maternal smoking during pregnancy have reported inconsistent findings in relation to measures of offspring cognitive functioning. Few studies, however, have examined learning outcomes in adolescents, as opposed to IQ. Aim: To examine the association between maternal smoking during pregnancy and academic performance among adolescent offspring. Study design: Population-based birth cohort study. Subjects: 7223 mothers and children were enrolled in the Mater-University of Queensland Study of Pregnancy in Brisbane (Australia) from 1981 to 1984. Analyses were restricted to the 4294 mothers and children for whom all information was reported at 14-year follow-up. Outcome measures: Reports of academic performance of 14-year-old offspring in English, Science and Mathematics with different patterns of maternal smoking (never smoked, smoked before and/or after pregnancy but not during pregnancy, or smoked during pregnancy). Results: Low academic achievement was more common only in those whose mothers had smoked during pregnancy. Effect sizes were, however, small. The adjusted mean difference in total learning score for smoking before and/or after pregnancy but not during pregnancy, and for smoking during pregnancy were −0.18 (−0.58, 0.22) and −0.40 (−0.69, −0.12). Similarly, the adjusted odds ratios were 0.9 (0. 65, 1.24) and 1.35 (1.07, 1.70). Conclusion: Maternal smoking during pregnancy is a preventable prenatal risk factor associated with small decrements in offspring academic performance that continue into adolescence. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: A range of adverse birth outcomes is associated with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure. Aim: To examine the effects of moderate levels of alcohol consumption during pregnancy on children''s intellectual ability, learning and attention at 14 years of age. Study design and subjects: The Mater-University of Queensland Study of Pregnancy involves a prospective birth cohort of 7223 singletons whose mothers were enrolled at the first antenatal visit. At 14 years, 5139 mothers and adolescents completed attentional and learning questionnaires, and 3731 adolescents completed psychometric assessments. Outcome measures: For adolescents, the Wide Range Achievement Test – Revised (WRAT-R) and Raven''s Standard Progressive Matrices Test (Raven''s) were administered. Mothers completed the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) and adolescents completed the Youth Self Report (YSR). Learning was assessed by a series of questions in the mother and adolescent questionnaires. Maternal measures included the quantity and frequency of alcohol consumption, and the extent of binge drinking. Results: For consumption of <1 glass/day in early or late pregnancy, there was no association with any attention, learning or cognitive outcomes. The strongest estimates of effect were found among those consuming ≥1 glasses/day. Exposure in late pregnancy was associated with increased prevalence of overall learning difficulty in the unadjusted, although not the adjusted analysis. Binge drinking was associated with a higher prevalence of Raven''s score <85 (1 standard deviation). Conclusions: Although a number of study limitations need to be considered, the results suggest that consumption at the level of <1 drink/day does not lead to adverse outcomes in relation to attention, learning and cognitive abilities, as measured in the current research. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aim: To examine whether alcohol exposure in pregnancy affects weight and head circumference (HC) at birth and 5 years, and whether these effects are independent of cigarette exposure in pregnancy and social disadvantage.Study Design: The Mater-University Study of Pregnancy (MUSP) involves a prospective cohort of 8556 mothers who were enrolled at first antenatal visit. The quantity and frequency of alcohol consumption in early and late pregnancy and a measure of binge drinking in early pregnancy were recorded. Weight and HC were measured on children seen at birth and at 5 years. Level of cigarette use in early pregnancy and maternal age and level of education and family income were also measured.Results: Light and moderate alcohol consumption in early or later pregnancy had no independent effects on weight or HC at birth or 5 years. Binge drinking in early pregnancy was not associated with restricted HC, and there was no effect modification by concurrent cigarette use in early pregnancy. An apparent effect of alcohol in late pregnancy on birth weight was due to confounding by cigarette use, with social risk being an independent predictor.Conclusion: Alcohol ingestion up to moderate levels in pregnancy was not associated with deficits in either weight or HC at birth or at 5 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]