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Papini NM, Bulik CM, Chawner SJRA, Micali N. Prevalence and recurrence of pica behaviors in early childhood within the ALSPAC birth cohort. Int J Eat Disord 2024; 57:400-409. [PMID: 38097525 PMCID: PMC10922868 DOI: 10.1002/eat.24111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The present study examined prevalence and correlates of pica behaviors during childhood using data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) study. METHOD Data on 10,109 caregivers from the ALSPAC study who reported pica behavior at 36, 54, 65, 77, and 115 months on their child were included. Autism was obtained through clinical and education records, while DD was derived from the Denver Developmental Screening Test. RESULTS A total of 312 parents (3.08%) reported pica behaviors in their child. Of these, 19.55% reported pica at least at two waves (n = 61). Pica was most common at 36 months (N = 226; 2.29%) and decreased as children aged. A significant association was found between pica and autism at all five waves (p < .001). There was a significant relationship between pica and DD, with individuals with DD more likely to experience pica than those without DD at 36 (p = .01), and 54 (p < .001), 65 (p = .04), 77 (p < .001), and 115 months (p = .006). Exploratory analyses examined pica behaviors with broader eating difficulties and child body mass index. DISCUSSION This study enhances understanding of childhood pica behaviors, addressing a significant gap in knowledge. Pica occurrence in the general population is poorly understood due to few epidemiological studies. Findings from the present study indicate pica is an uncommon behavior in childhood; however, children with DD or autism may benefit from pica screening and diagnosis between ages 36 and 115 months. Children who exhibit undereating, overeating, and food fussiness may also engage in pica behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie M. Papini
- Department of Health Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
- Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders (CEED), University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Cynthia M. Bulik
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Samuel J. R. A. Chawner
- Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Nadia Micali
- Eating Disorders Research Unit, Psychiatric Centre Ballerup, Capital Region of Denmark Mental Health Services, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
- Institute of Biological Psychiatry, Psychiatric Center Sct. Hans, Capital Region of Denmark Mental Health Services, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Ng JWY, Felix JF, Olson DM. A novel approach to risk exposure and epigenetics-the use of multidimensional context to gain insights into the early origins of cardiometabolic and neurocognitive health. BMC Med 2023; 21:466. [PMID: 38012757 PMCID: PMC10683259 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-023-03168-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Each mother-child dyad represents a unique combination of genetic and environmental factors. This constellation of variables impacts the expression of countless genes. Numerous studies have uncovered changes in DNA methylation (DNAm), a form of epigenetic regulation, in offspring related to maternal risk factors. How these changes work together to link maternal-child risks to childhood cardiometabolic and neurocognitive traits remains unknown. This question is a key research priority as such traits predispose to future non-communicable diseases (NCDs). We propose viewing risk and the genome through a multidimensional lens to identify common DNAm patterns shared among diverse risk profiles. METHODS We identified multifactorial Maternal Risk Profiles (MRPs) generated from population-based data (n = 15,454, Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC)). Using cord blood HumanMethylation450 BeadChip data, we identified genome-wide patterns of DNAm that co-vary with these MRPs. We tested the prospective relation of these DNAm patterns (n = 914) to future outcomes using decision tree analysis. We then tested the reproducibility of these patterns in (1) DNAm data at age 7 and 17 years within the same cohort (n = 973 and 974, respectively) and (2) cord DNAm in an independent cohort, the Generation R Study (n = 686). RESULTS We identified twenty MRP-related DNAm patterns at birth in ALSPAC. Four were prospectively related to cardiometabolic and/or neurocognitive childhood outcomes. These patterns were replicated in DNAm data from blood collected at later ages. Three of these patterns were externally validated in cord DNAm data in Generation R. Compared to previous literature, DNAm patterns exhibited novel spatial distribution across the genome that intersects with chromatin functional and tissue-specific signatures. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, we are the first to leverage multifactorial population-wide data to detect patterns of variability in DNAm. This context-based approach decreases biases stemming from overreliance on specific samples or variables. We discovered molecular patterns demonstrating prospective and replicable relations to complex traits. Moreover, results suggest that patterns harbour a genome-wide organisation specific to chromatin regulation and target tissues. These preliminary findings warrant further investigation to better reflect the reality of human context in molecular studies of NCDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane W Y Ng
- Department of Pediatrics, Cummings School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 28 Oki Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T3B 6A8, Canada
| | - Janine F Felix
- The Generation F Study Group, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Postbus, 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - David M Olson
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Physiology, and Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, 220 HMRC, Edmonton, AB, T6G2S2, Canada.
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Riglin L, Tobarra‐Sanchez E, Stergiakouli E, Havdahl A, Tilling K, O’Donovan M, Nigg J, Langley K, Thapar A. Early manifestations of genetic liability for ADHD, autism and schizophrenia at ages 18 and 24 months. JCPP ADVANCES 2022; 2:e12093. [PMID: 36545360 PMCID: PMC9762693 DOI: 10.1002/jcv2.12093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background ADHD and autism are neurodevelopmental conditions, for which non-specific precursors or early signs include difficulties with language and motor skills, and differences in temperament in the first and second year of life. These early features have also been linked to later diagnosis of schizophrenia which is widely considered to have neurodevelopmental origins. Given that ADHD, autism and schizophrenia are all highly heritable, we tested the hypothesis that in the general population, measures of toddler language development, motor development and temperament are associated with genetic liability to ADHD, autism and/or schizophrenia. Methods Data were analysed from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) which included motor development scores at age 18 months and language development and temperament scores at age 24 months (N=7498). Genetic liability was indexed by polygenic risk scores (PGS) for ADHD, autism and schizophrenia. Results ADHD PGS were associated with specific temperament scales (higher activity β=0.07, 95% CI=0.04, 0.09 and lower withdrawal β=-0.05, 95% CI=-0.07, -0.02) as well as better gross motor scores (β=0.04, 95% CI=0.01, 0.06). Schizophrenia PGS were associated with one specific temperament scale (negative mood β=0.04, 95% CI=0.02, 0.07). We did not find strong evidence of association of autism PGS with any of the toddler measures; there was also not strong evidence of association with motor or language delays for any of the PGS. Conclusions This study suggests that some specific aspects of early temperament and gross motor differences in the general population could represent part of the early manifestation of genetic liability to neurodevelopmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Riglin
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences and MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and GenomicsCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
- Wolfson Centre for Young People's Mental HealthCardiffUK
| | - Esther Tobarra‐Sanchez
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences and MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and GenomicsCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
| | - Evie Stergiakouli
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology UnitUniversity of BristolBristolUK
- Population Health SciencesBristol Medical SchoolUniversity of BristolBristolUK
| | - Alexandra Havdahl
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology UnitUniversity of BristolBristolUK
- Nic Waals InstituteLovisenberg Diaconal HospitalOsloNorway
- Department of Mental DisordersNorwegian Institute of Public HealthOsloNorway
- PROMENTA, Department of PsychologyUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Kate Tilling
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology UnitUniversity of BristolBristolUK
- Population Health SciencesBristol Medical SchoolUniversity of BristolBristolUK
| | - Michael O’Donovan
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences and MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and GenomicsCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
| | - Joel Nigg
- Deptartment of PsychiatryOregon Health & Science UniversityPortlandOregonUSA
| | - Kate Langley
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences and MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and GenomicsCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
- School of PsychologyCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
| | - Anita Thapar
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences and MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and GenomicsCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
- Wolfson Centre for Young People's Mental HealthCardiffUK
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The benefits of fish intake: results concerning prenatal mercury exposure and child outcomes from the ALSPAC prebirth cohort. Neurotoxicology 2022; 91:22-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2022.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Ferreira-Vasques AT, Lamônica DAC. Avaliação instrumentalizada do desenvolvimento infantil: nova realidade brasileira. Codas 2018; 30:e20180056. [DOI: 10.1590/2317-1782/20182018056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
RESUMO Objetivo Apresentar a Escala de Desenvolvimento Mental de Griffiths (EDMG), bem como sua adaptação transcultural para o Brasil. Método EDMG é um instrumento diagnóstico de avaliação do desenvolvimento infantil. O resultado de sua aplicação permite verificar se o desenvolvimento é típico ou se há diagnóstico de alteração em determinada área específica (motora grossa, pessoal-social, linguagem, motora fina-adaptativa e execução) ou do desenvolvimento global. Após contato com autores, permissão de utilização da EDMG e cumprimento dos aspectos éticos, a versão do instrumento em português europeu foi adaptada para o português brasileiro, com manutenção de equivalências semântica, idiomática, experimental e conceitual. A adaptação foi realizada por duas fonoaudiólogas, experientes em avaliação de lactentes, que realizaram o curso de capacitação para aplicar o instrumento. A versão final adaptada foi aplicada em 21 lactentes com desenvolvimento típico. Resultados Foram adaptados 39 itens, sem exclusão alguma. Todos os itens foram possíveis de serem aplicados, adequados à faixa etária alvo, sem ausência de resposta em nenhum item. Conclusão A EDMG é adaptada transculturalmente em diversos países e amplamente utilizada por realizar diagnóstico em faixa etária essencial para estimulação com a plasticidade cerebral em pleno desenvolvimento. Foi realizada a adaptação transcultural da EDMG para o Brasil, transformando o cenário brasileiro em relação à atenção a lactentes. Após normatização e verificação das medidas psicométricas, será possível, além de diagnóstico precoce, melhorar a qualidade dos atendimentos a esta população; realizar estudos transculturais e publicar em revistas internacionais com a viabilidade de a EDMG ser aceita e utilizada internacionalmente.
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Ogundipe E, Tusor N, Wang Y, Johnson MR, Edwards AD, Crawford MA. Randomized controlled trial of brain specific fatty acid supplementation in pregnant women increases brain volumes on MRI scans of their newborn infants. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2018; 138:6-13. [PMID: 30392581 DOI: 10.1016/j.plefa.2018.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Revised: 08/25/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ArA) are essential brain specific fatty acids (BSFA) for mammalian central nervous system development. Human brains have accelerated growth with significant increase in cerebral content of ArA and DHA during the last trimester of pregnancy and first postnatal months. This randomized double blind placebo controlled single centre trial assessed the impact of BSFA supplementation in pregnancy on newborn infants' brain volumes. Eighty six infants born to study mothers had brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans soon after birth. Total and regional brain volumes were analyzed and related to maternal supplementation group. Males born to the BSFA supplemented mothers had significantly larger total brain volumes, total gray matter, corpus callosum and cortical volumes when compared to the placebo group. This is the first study to show maternal BSFA supplementation enhances newborn infants' brain size and suggests differential sex sensitivity of fetal brains to pregnancy BSFA status.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Ogundipe
- Neonatal Department, Imperial College London, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital London, UK; Lipid laboratory, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital campus, London, UK.
| | - N Tusor
- F Med Sci, Perinatal Neuroimaging Unit, King's College London, UK.
| | - Y Wang
- Lipid laboratory, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital campus, London, UK.
| | - M R Johnson
- Academic Obstetric Department, Imperial College London, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital campus, London, UK.
| | - A D Edwards
- F Med Sci, Perinatal Neuroimaging Unit, King's College London, UK.
| | - M A Crawford
- Academic Obstetric Department, Imperial College London, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital campus, London, UK.
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Taylor CM, Emond AM, Lingam R, Golding J. Prenatal lead, cadmium and mercury exposure and associations with motor skills at age 7 years in a UK observational birth cohort. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2018; 117:40-47. [PMID: 29723752 PMCID: PMC6024074 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.04.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Revised: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lead and mercury are freely transferred across the placenta, while cadmium tends to accumulate in the placenta. Each contributes to adverse neurological outcomes for the child. Although prenatal heavy metal exposure has been linked with an array of neurodevelopmental outcomes in childhood, its association with the development of motor skills in children has not been robustly studied. AIMS/OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between prenatal exposure to lead, cadmium and mercury, measured as maternal blood concentrations during pregnancy, and motor skills, measured as subtests of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (Movement ABC) at age 7 years in a large sample of mother-child pairs enrolled in a UK observational birth cohort study (Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, ALSPAC). METHODS Whole blood samples from pregnant women enrolled in ALSPAC were analysed for lead, cadmium and mercury. In a complete case analysis (n = 1558), associations between prenatal blood concentrations and child motor skills assessed by Movement ABC subtests of manual dexterity, ball skills and balance at 7 years were examined in adjusted regression models. Associations with probable developmental coordination disorder (DCD) were also investigated. RESULTS The mean prenatal blood levels were: lead 3.66 ± 1.55 μg/dl; cadmium 0.45 ± 0.54 μg/l; mercury 2.23 ± 1.14 μg/l. There was no evidence for any adverse associations of prenatal lead, cadmium or mercury exposure with motor skills measured at age 7 years with Movement ABC subtests in adjusted regression models. Further, there were no associations with probable DCD. CONCLUSIONS There was no evidence to support a role of prenatal exposure to heavy metals at these levels on motor skills in the child at age 7 years measured using the Movement ABC. Early identification of symptoms of motor skills impairment is important, however, to enable investigation, assessment and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline M Taylor
- Centre for Child and Adolescent Health, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, UK.
| | - Alan M Emond
- Centre for Child and Adolescent Health, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, UK
| | - Raghu Lingam
- School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jean Golding
- Centre for Child and Adolescent Health, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, UK
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Taylor CM, Emond AM, Lingam R, Golding J. The ALSPAC Coordination Test (subtests of the Movement ABC): Methodology and data on associations with prenatal exposures to lead, cadmium and mercury. Data Brief 2018; 19:189-197. [PMID: 29892633 PMCID: PMC5993154 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2018.04.130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
As part of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), measures of child motor skills were collected in research clinics. The ALSPAC Coordination Test was derived from subtests of the Movement ABC at age 7 years in children participating in ALSPAC. Maternal blood lead, cadmium and mercury concentrations were measured by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry in samples from women at a median gestation age of 11 weeks. Maternal reports at 32 weeks’ gestation were used to generate data on a range of potential confounders. The data were used to determine the associations between prenatal exposure to lead, cadmium and mercury and child motor skills at age 7 years. For results, please see Taylor et al. [1].
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline M. Taylor
- Centre for Child and Adolescent Health, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, UK
- Corresponding author.
| | - Alan M. Emond
- Centre for Child and Adolescent Health, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, UK
| | - Raghu Lingam
- School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Australia
| | - Jean Golding
- Centre for Child and Adolescent Health, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, UK
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Golding J, Gregory S, Iles-Caven Y, Hibbeln J, Emond A, Taylor CM. Associations between prenatal mercury exposure and early child development in the ALSPAC study. Neurotoxicology 2016; 53:215-222. [PMID: 26880023 PMCID: PMC4819890 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2016.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2015] [Revised: 02/01/2016] [Accepted: 02/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There is evidence that high levels of mercury exposure to the pregnant woman can result in damage to the brain of the developing fetus. However there is uncertainty as to whether lower levels of the metal have adverse effects on the development of the infant and whether components of fish consumption and/or the selenium status of the woman is protective. METHODS In this study we analysed data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) (n=2875-3264) to determine whether levels of total blood mercury of pregnant women collected in the first half of pregnancy are associated with the development of the offspring at ages 6, 18, 30 and 42 months. The developmental measures used maternal self-reported scales for individual types of development (fine and gross motor, social and communication skills) and total scores. Multiple and logistic regression analyses treated the outcomes both as continuous and as suboptimal (the lowest 15th centile). The statistical analyses first examined the association of prenatal mercury exposure with these developmental endpoints and then adjusted each for a number of social and maternal lifestyle factors; finally this model was adjusted for the blood selenium level. RESULTS Total maternal prenatal blood mercury and selenium ranged from 0.17 to 12.76 and 17.0 to 324μg/L respectively. We found no evidence to suggest that prenatal levels of maternal blood mercury were associated with adverse development of the child, even when the mother had consumed no fish during pregnancy. In general, the higher the mercury level the more advanced the development of the child within the range of exposure studied. For example, the fully adjusted effect sizes for total development at 6 and 42 months were +0.51 [95%CI +0.05, +1.00] and +0.43 [95%CI +0.08, +0.78] points per SD of mercury. For the risk of suboptimal development the ORs at these ages were 0.90 [95%CI 0.80, 1.02] and 0.88 [95%CI 0.77, 1.02]. In regard to the associations between blood mercury and child development there were no differences between the mothers who ate fish and those who did not, thus implying that the benefits were not solely due to the beneficial nutrients in fish. CONCLUSIONS We found no evidence of adverse associations between maternal prenatal blood mercury and child development between 6 and 42 months of age. The significant associations that were present were all in the beneficial direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Golding
- Centre for Child and Adolescent Health, School of Social & Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
| | - Steven Gregory
- Centre for Child and Adolescent Health, School of Social & Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
| | - Yasmin Iles-Caven
- Centre for Child and Adolescent Health, School of Social & Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
| | - Joseph Hibbeln
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Alan Emond
- Centre for Child and Adolescent Health, School of Social & Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
| | - Caroline M Taylor
- Centre for Child and Adolescent Health, School of Social & Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
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