Association of birth weight with neuropsychological functioning in early adolescence: A retrospective cohort study

Qiongjie Zhou; Xingzhong Zhao; Jingqi Chen; Anyi Yang; Xing-Ming Zhao; Xiaotian Li

doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2024.116183

Association of birth weight with neuropsychological functioning in early adolescence: A retrospective cohort study

Psychiatry Res. 2024 Sep 11:342:116183. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2024.116183. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Qiongjie Zhou¹, Xingzhong Zhao², Jingqi Chen³, Anyi Yang², Xing-Ming Zhao⁴, Xiaotian Li⁵

Affiliations

¹ Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China.
² Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China.
³ Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China; MOE Key Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China.
⁴ Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China; MOE Key Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China; Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China. Electronic address: xmzhao@fudan.edu.cn.
⁵ Department of Obstetrics, Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, PR China; Southern Medical University, Guangdong, PR China; Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China. Electronic address: xiaotianli555@163.com.

PMID: 39303554
DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2024.116183

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to compare the neuropsychological function in early adolescence between children born small for gestational age (SGA) or large for gestational age (LGA) and those born appropriate for gestational age (AGA).

Methods: This retrospective cohort study utilized data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study in 2016-18. Children born of singleton pregnancy with complete information of birth weight and delivery week were enrolled. Their neuropsychological functioning were assessed by the brain structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), combined with cognitive and behavioral measurements. Linear mixed-effects models and subgroup analyses were performed.

Results: Among 5,922 children aged 9-11, children born SGA and LGA demonstrated similar cognitive and behavioral performances as children born AGA (P > 0.05). In the MRI measurement, brain area and volume were lower among SGA children compared to AGA children (t=-5.626, Cohen's d = 0.448, P < 0.001; t=-6.071, Cohen's d = 0.427, P < 0.001); brain area and volume were higher among LGA children compared to AGA children (t = 8.562, Cohen's d = 0.470, P < 0.001; t = 8.562, Cohen's d = 0.470, P < 0.001). Cortical thickness was of no statistical difference (P > 0.05). These associations were confirmed by sensitivity analyses and propensity score matching.

Conclusion: Children born of SGA and LGA status were associated with altered brain area and volume structure in early adolescence.

Keywords: Birth weight; Early adolescence; Large for gestational age; Magnetic resonance imaging; Small for gestational age.