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Prenatal nutrition, stimulation, and exposure to punishment are associated with early child motor, cognitive, language, and socioemotional development in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Prenatal nutrition, stimulation, and exposure to punishment are associated with early child motor, cognitive, language, and socioemotional development in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Authors :
Pitchik HO
Fawzi WW
McCoy DC
Darling AM
Abioye AI
Tesha F
Smith ER
Mugusi F
Sudfeld CR
Source :
Child: care, health and development [Child Care Health Dev] 2018 Nov; Vol. 44 (6), pp. 841-849. Date of Electronic Publication: 2018 Aug 19.
Publication Year :
2018

Abstract

Background: Despite growing evidence that early life experiences and exposures can impact child development, there is limited research on how prenatal and early life nutrition and early life parenting practices predict specific domains of child development in resource-limited settings. This study examines the association between prenatal factors, birth outcomes, and early life characteristics with motor, cognitive/language, and socioemotional development in Tanzania.<br />Methods: We assessed motor, cognitive/language, and socioemotional development among a cohort of 198 children aged 20-39 months in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, whose mothers were previously enrolled in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of prenatal vitamin A and zinc supplementation. Linear regression models were used to assess standardized mean differences in child development scores for randomized prenatal regimen and pregnancy, delivery, and early childhood factors.<br />Results: Children born to mothers randomized to prenatal vitamin A had significantly lower reported motor scores in minimally adjusted and multivariate analyses, -0.29 SD, 95% CI [-0.54, -0.04], p = 0.03, as compared with children whose mothers did not receive vitamin A. There was no significant effect of randomized prenatal zinc on any development domain. Greater caregiver-child stimulation was associated with 0.38 SD, 95% CI [0.14, 0.63], p < 0.01, better cognitive/language scores, whereas children who experienced both verbal and physical punishment had 0.29 SD, 95% CI [-0.52, -0.05], p = 0.02, lower scores in socioemotional development. Maternal completion of primary school was associated with higher reported motor and cognitive/language development. Further, children of mothers who were <155 cm tall had lower cognitive and language scores.<br />Conclusion: Prenatal vitamin A supplements in a setting with low levels of vitamin A deficiency may not provide child development benefits. However, integrated environmental, educational, parenting, and stimulation interventions may have large positive effects across child development domains in resource-limited settings.<br /> (© 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1365-2214
Volume :
44
Issue :
6
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Child: care, health and development
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
30124230
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1111/cch.12605