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Wedderburn CJ, Yeung S, Groenewold NA, Rehman AM, Subramoney S, Fouche JP, Joshi SH, Narr KL, Hoffman N, Roos A, Gibb DM, Zar HJ, Stein DJ, Donald KA. Subcortical Brain Volumes and Neurocognitive Function in Children With Perinatal HIV Exposure: A Population-Based Cohort Study in South Africa. Open Forum Infect Dis 2024; 11:ofae317. [PMID: 39022390 PMCID: PMC11253430 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofae317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Children who are HIV-exposed and uninfected (HEU) are at risk for early neurodevelopmental impairment. Smaller basal ganglia nuclei have been reported in neonates who are HEU compared to HIV-unexposed (HU); however, neuroimaging studies outside infancy are scarce. We examined subcortical brain structures and associations with neurocognition in children who are HEU. Methods This neuroimaging study was nested within the Drakenstein Child Health Study birth cohort in South Africa. We compared (T1-weighted) magnetic resonance imaging-derived subcortical brain volumes between children who were HEU (n = 70) and HU (n = 92) at age 2-3 years using linear regression. Brain volumes were correlated with neurodevelopmental outcomes measured with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development III. Results Compared to HU children, on average children who were HEU had 3% lower subcortical grey matter volumes. Analyses of individual structures found smaller volume of the putamen nucleus in the basal ganglia (-5% difference, P = .016) and the hippocampus (-3% difference, P = .044), which held on adjustment for potential confounders (P < .05). Maternal viremia and lower CD4 count in pregnancy were associated with smaller child putamen volumes. Children who were HEU had lower language scores than HU; putamen and hippocampus volumes were positively correlated with language outcomes. Conclusions Overall, children who are HEU had a pattern of smaller subcortical volumes in the basal ganglia and hippocampal regions compared to HU children, which correlated with language function. Findings suggest that optimizing maternal perinatal HIV care is important for child brain development. Further studies are needed to investigate underlying mechanisms and long-term outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine J Wedderburn
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- The Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Shunmay Yeung
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nynke A Groenewold
- The Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Andrea M Rehman
- Medical Research Council Tropical Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sivenesi Subramoney
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jean-Paul Fouche
- The Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Shantanu H Joshi
- Department of Neurology and Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Katherine L Narr
- Department of Neurology and Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Nadia Hoffman
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Annerine Roos
- The Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Diana M Gibb
- Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Unit, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Heather J Zar
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council Unit on Child and Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Dan J Stein
- The Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kirsten A Donald
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- The Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Tsunga L, Heron J, Lake MT, Halligan SL, Malcolm-Smith S, Hoffman N, Zar HJ, Fraser A, Stein DJ, Donald KA. Exposure to Violence and Mental Health Outcomes Among Pre-schoolers in a South African Birth Cohort. Res Child Adolesc Psychopathol 2024:10.1007/s10802-024-01211-y. [PMID: 38861248 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-024-01211-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
Little is known about the relationship between violence exposure and mental health in preschoolers living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Multiple regression analyses investigated associations between violence exposure and mental health in the Drakenstein Child Health Study (N = 978), a South African birth cohort. Lifetime violence exposure was assessed at age 4.5 years using the parent-report Child Exposure to Community Violence Checklist (CECV). Mental health was assessed at age 5 years using the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL 1.5-5). Eighty-three percent of the children were exposed to some form of violence. Internalising and externalising behaviours were positively associated with overall violence exposure (β per one unit change in the overall score = 0.55 [0.16, 0.94] and β = 0.53 [0.23, 0.84], respectively), domestic victimisation (β per one unit change in the subscore = 1.28 [0.28, 2.27]; β = 1.14 [0.37, 1.90]) and witnessing community violence (β = 0.77 [0.15, 1.39]; β = 0.68 [0.19, 1.18]). There was a positive association between polyvictimisation and externalising (β = 1.02 [0.30, 1.73]) but not internalising (β = 0.87 [-0.06, 1.80]) behaviour problems. Evidence for an association of witnessing domestic violence with internalising (β = 0.63 [-0.97, 2.24]) or externalising (β = 1.23 [-0.04, 2.50]) behaviours was less robust. There was no association between community victimisation and internalising or externalising behaviours (β = 0.72 [-1.52, 2.97; β = 0.68 [ -1.06, 2.41]). Observations highlight the risk for mental health problems among preschoolers living in high-violence contexts and emphasize the need for early interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucinda Tsunga
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom.
| | - Jon Heron
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Marilyn T Lake
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Sarah L Halligan
- Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
| | - Susan Malcolm-Smith
- ACSENT Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nadia Hoffman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Heather J Zar
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- The SA-MRC Unit on Child and Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Abigail Fraser
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Dan J Stein
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council Unit on Risk & Resilience in Mental Disorders, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Kirsten A Donald
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Green F, du Plooy C, Rehman AM, Nhapi RT, Lake MT, Barnett W, Hoffman N, Zar HJ, Donald KA, Stein DJ, Wedderburn CJ. Language outcomes of preschool children who are HIV-exposed uninfected: An analysis of a South African cohort. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297471. [PMID: 38598467 PMCID: PMC11006185 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There are approximately 16 million children who are HIV-exposed and uninfected (CHEU) worldwide. Studies suggest that CHEU are at risk for developmental impairment in infancy, particularly in language domains. However, there is limited research examining neurocognitive function in CHEU older than 2 years, including important pre-school years. This study aimed to investigate associations between HIV exposure without infection and neurocognitive outcomes and to determine risk factors for neurodevelopment in CHEU at age 3-4 years. METHODS The Drakenstein Child Health Study is a South African population-based birth cohort which enrolled women in pregnancy with ongoing follow up. Neurocognitive outcomes were assessed in children at 3.5 years by trained assessors blinded to HIV status including general cognitive function, language, and memory, measured using the Kaufmann Assessment Battery for Children, Second Edition (KABC-II). Data were compared between CHEU and children who were HIV-unexposed uninfected (CHUU) using multivariable logistic and linear regression, including testing for effect modification; sex-stratified risk factor analyses were performed. RESULTS A total of 497 children were included (97 [20%] CHEU; 400 [80%] CHUU; 50% male), with a mean age of 3.5 years (range 3.4-3.6). Groups had similar birth and household characteristics, although mothers of CHEU were older, on average. Overall, CHEU had lower expressive language scores compared to CHUU on unadjusted and adjusted analyses (effect size: -0.23 [95% CI -0.45, -0.01]). There were no group differences in general cognitive or memory function (p>0.05). On sex-stratified analyses, male CHEU were found to have higher odds of suboptimal cognitive development compared to male CHUU (aOR 2.28 [95% CI 1.06, 4.87], p = 0.034). Several other factors including birthweight, maternal education, maternal ART duration and HIV viral load during pregnancy were associated with cognition, memory, or expressive language outcomes in CHEU, dependent on child sex. INTERPRETATION The findings suggest that perinatal HIV exposure continues to be associated with impaired language development across the preschool years, highlighting the importance of targeting early interventions to optimise language outcomes. Further, the results suggest the importance of demographic, biological and HIV-related variables influencing developmental outcomes in CHEU. The greater risk of suboptimal cognitive development in male CHEU requires investigation around sex-specific mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Freddy Green
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher du Plooy
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Andrea M. Rehman
- MRC International Statistics & Epidemiology Group, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Raymond T. Nhapi
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Marilyn T. Lake
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Unit on Child & Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Whitney Barnett
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Nadia Hoffman
- Department of Psychiatry & Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Heather J. Zar
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Unit on Child & Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kirsten A. Donald
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Dan J. Stein
- Department of Psychiatry & Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- SAMRC, Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Catherine J. Wedderburn
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Uban KA, Jonker D, Donald KA, Bodison SC, Brooks SJ, Kan E, Steigelmann B, Roos A, Marshall A, Adise S, Butler-Kruger L, Melly B, Narr KL, Joshi SH, Odendaal HJ, Sowell ER, Stein DJ. Associations between community-level patterns of prenatal alcohol and tobacco exposure on brain structure in a non-clinical sample of 6-year-old children: a South African pilot study. Acta Neuropsychiatr 2024; 36:87-96. [PMID: 36700449 PMCID: PMC10368794 DOI: 10.1017/neu.2022.34] [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] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The current small study utilised prospective data collection of patterns of prenatal alcohol and tobacco exposure (PAE and PTE) to examine associations with structural brain outcomes in 6-year-olds and served as a pilot to determine the value of prospective data describing community-level patterns of PAE and PTE in a non-clinical sample of children. Participants from the Safe Passage Study in pregnancy were approached when their child was ∼6 years old and completed structural brain magnetic resonance imaging to examine with archived PAE and PTE data (n = 51 children-mother dyads). Linear regression was used to conduct whole-brain structural analyses, with false-discovery rate (FDR) correction, to examine: (a) main effects of PAE, PTE and their interaction; and (b) predictive potential of data that reflect patterns of PAE and PTE (e.g. quantity, frequency and timing (QFT)). Associations between PAE, PTE and their interaction with brain structural measures demonstrated unique profiles of cortical and subcortical alterations that were distinct between PAE only, PTE only and their interactive effects. Analyses examining associations between patterns of PAE and PTE (e.g. QFT) were able to significantly detect brain alterations (that survived FDR correction) in this small non-clinical sample of children. These findings support the hypothesis that considering QFT and co-exposures is important for identifying brain alterations following PAE and/or PTE in a small group of young children. Current results demonstrate that teratogenic outcomes on brain structure differ as a function PAE, PTE or their co-exposures, as well as the pattern (QFT) or exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina A Uban
- Public Health, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
- Center for Neurobiology of Learning and Memory
| | - Deborah Jonker
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kirsten A Donald
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Stefanie C Bodison
- Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | | | - Eric Kan
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Annerine Roos
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Andrew Marshall
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Shana Adise
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Letitia Butler-Kruger
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Brigitte Melly
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Katherine L Narr
- Ahmanson-Lovelace Brain Mapping Center, Department of Neurology, Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Shantanu H Joshi
- Ahmanson-Lovelace Brain Mapping Center, Department of Neurology, Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Hein J Odendaal
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Elizabeth R Sowell
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Dan J Stein
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, Cape Town, South Africa
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Wedderburn CJ, Yeung S, Subramoney S, Fouche JP, Joshi SH, Narr KL, Rehman AM, Roos A, Gibb DM, Zar HJ, Stein DJ, Donald KA. Association of in utero HIV exposure with child brain structure and language development: a South African birth cohort study. BMC Med 2024; 22:129. [PMID: 38519887 PMCID: PMC10960435 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-024-03282-6] [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: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a growing population of children with in utero HIV exposure who are at risk of poor neurodevelopmental outcomes despite avoiding HIV infection. However, the underlying neurobiological pathways are not understood and neuroimaging studies are lacking. We aimed to investigate the cortical brain structure of children who are HIV-exposed and uninfected (HEU) compared to HIV-unexposed (HU) children and to examine the relationship with neurodevelopment. METHODS The Drakenstein Child Health birth cohort study enrolled pregnant women from a high HIV prevalence area in South Africa with longitudinal follow-up of mother-child pairs. High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging scans from 162 children (70 HEU; 92 HU) were acquired at 2-3 years of age. All HEU children were born to mothers taking antiretroviral therapy. Measures of brain structure (cortical thickness and surface area) in the prefrontal cortex regions were extracted from T1-weighted images and compared between groups using multivariate analysis of variance and linear regression. Child development, assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-III, was correlated with cortical structure, and mediation analyses were performed. RESULTS Analyses demonstrated an association between HIV exposure and cortical thickness across the prefrontal cortex (p = 0.035). Children who were HEU had thicker cortices in prefrontal regions, with significantly greater cortical thickness in the medial orbitofrontal cortex (mOFC) bilaterally compared to HU children (3.21 mm versus 3.14 mm, p = 0.009, adjusted effect size 0.44 [95% CI 0.12 to 0.75]). Estimates held across multiple sensitivity analyses. There were no group differences in cortical surface area. Language scores, which were lower in HEU versus HU children (81.82 versus 86.25, p = 0.011, effect size - 0.44 [95% CI - 0.78 to - 0.09]), negatively correlated with prefrontal cortical thickness in both groups. Cortical thickness in the mOFC mediated the relationship between HIV exposure and poor language outcomes (Sobel test p = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS In this cohort study, exposure to HIV during pregnancy was associated with altered cortical structure in early life. Our findings indicate that differences in cortical thickness development in the prefrontal region in children who are HEU may be a pathway leading to language impairment. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine the lasting impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine J Wedderburn
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
- The Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Shunmay Yeung
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Sivenesi Subramoney
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jean-Paul Fouche
- The Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Psychiatry & Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Shantanu H Joshi
- Departments of Neurology, Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Katherine L Narr
- Departments of Neurology, Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Andrea M Rehman
- MRC International Statistics & Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Annerine Roos
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- The Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- SA MRC Unit On Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Diana M Gibb
- MRC Clinical Trials Unit, University College London, London, UK
| | - Heather J Zar
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- SA MRC Unit On Child & Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Dan J Stein
- The Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Psychiatry & Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- SA MRC Unit On Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kirsten A Donald
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- The Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Abukari AS, Schmollgruber S. Perceived barriers of family-centred care in neonatal intensive care units: A qualitative study. Nurs Crit Care 2024. [PMID: 38228405 DOI: 10.1111/nicc.13031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Family-centered care (FCC) approach in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) has been shown to improve family satisfaction and quality of care. However, several contextual barriers influence its use in NICUs, and these barriers are understudied in Ghana. AIM To describe FCC practice in Ghanaian NICUs in order to understand the contextual barriers. DESIGN The study employed a descriptive qualitative design. METHODS The researchers used a structured interview guide to collect the data in 24 interviews and 12 focus group discussions. We engaged families (n = 42), nurses and midwives (n = 33), and doctors (n = 9) to describe their perspectives on the barriers to FCC in two public tertiary hospital NICUs. The data were mapped, triangulated, and aggregated to inform the findings. Thematic analysis and MAXQDA qualitative software version 2020 were employed to analyse the data. This qualitative study followed the COREQ guidelines and checklist. RESULTS Perceived family barriers and perceived facility barriers to FCC were the two main themes. The perceived family barriers include family stress and anxiety, inadequate information sharing and education, culture and religion. The perceived facility barriers are inadequate space and logistics, workload and inadequate staff, restricted entry, and negative staff attitudes. CONCLUSION The findings of this study shed light on the barriers to FCC practice in neonatal care in Ghanaian NICUs. Family stress and anxiety, a lack of information sharing, cultures and religious beliefs, NICU workload and staffing shortages, restrictions on family entry into NICUs, and staff attitudes towards families are all contextual barriers to FCC practice. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Health facility managers and NICU staff may consider addressing these barriers to implement FCC in the NICU in order to enhance family satisfaction and quality neonatal care. The design of future NICUs should consider family comfort zones and subunits to accommodate families and their sick infants for optimal health care outcomes. The development of communication models and guidelines for respectful NICU care may aid in integrating families into ICUs and promoting quality health care outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alhassan Sibdow Abukari
- Department of Nursing Education, School of Therapeutic Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of General Nursing, School of Nursing, Wisconsin International University College, Accra, Ghana
| | - Shelley Schmollgruber
- Department of Nursing Education, School of Therapeutic Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Besharati S, Akinyemi R. Accelerating African neuroscience to provide an equitable framework using perspectives from West and Southern Africa. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8107. [PMID: 38062039 PMCID: PMC10703764 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43943-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sahba Besharati
- Department of Psychology, School of Human and Community Development, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
- CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars Program, CIFAR, Toronto, Canada.
| | - Rufus Akinyemi
- Neuroscience and Ageing Research Unit, Institute for Advanced Medical Research and Training, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
- Centre for Genomic and Precision Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
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Williams SR, Robertson FC, Wedderburn CJ, Ringshaw JE, Bradford L, Nyakonda CN, Hoffman N, Joshi SH, Zar HJ, Stein DJ, Donald KA. 1H-MRS neurometabolite profiles and motor development in school-aged children who are HIV-exposed uninfected: a birth cohort study. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1251575. [PMID: 37901429 PMCID: PMC10600451 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1251575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Alterations in regional neurometabolite levels as well as impaired neurodevelopmental outcomes have previously been observed in children who are HIV-exposed uninfected (CHEU). However, little is known about how neurometabolite profiles may relate to their developmental impairment. This study aimed to compare neurometabolite concentrations in school-aged CHEU and children who are HIV-unexposed (CHU) and to explore associations of neurometabolite profiles with functional neurodevelopment in the context of perinatal HIV exposure. Methods We used 3 T single voxel proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) to quantify absolute and relative neurometabolites in the parietal gray and parietal white matter in school-aged CHEU and aged- and community-matched CHU. Functional neurodevelopmental outcomes were assessed using the early learning outcome measure (ELOM) tool at 6 years of age. Results Our study included 152 school-aged children (50% males), 110 CHEU and 42 CHU, with an average age of 74 months at the neuroimaging visit. In an adjusted multiple linear regression analysis, significantly lower glutamate (Glu) concentrations were found in CHEU as compared to CHU in the parietal gray matter (absolute Glu, p = 0.046; Glu/total creatine (Cr+PCr) ratios, p = 0.035) and lower total choline to creatine ratios (GPC+PCh/Cr+PCr) in the parietal white matter (p = 0.039). Using factor analysis and adjusted logistic regression analysis, a parietal gray matter Glu and myo-inositol (Ins) dominated factor was associated with HIV exposure status in both unadjusted (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.17-0.45, p = 0.013) and adjusted analyses (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.35-0.94, p = 0.031). With Ins as one of the dominating metabolites, this neurometabolic factor was similar to that found at the age of two years. Furthermore, this factor was also found to be correlated with ELOM scores of gross motor development in CHEU (Pearson's r = -0.48, p = 0.044). In addition, in CHEU, there was a significant association between Ins/Cr+PCr ratios in the parietal white matter and ELOM scores of fine motor coordination and visual motor integration in CHEU (Pearson's r = 0.51, p = 0.032). Conclusion Reduced Glu concentrations in the parietal gray matter may suggest regional alterations in excitatory glutamatergic transmission pathways in the context of perinatal HIV and/or antiretroviral therapy (ART) exposure, while reduced Cho ratios in the parietal white matter suggest regional myelin loss. Identified associations between neurometabolite profiles and gross and fine motor developmental outcomes in CHEU are suggestive of a neurometabolic mechanism that may underlie impaired motor neurodevelopmental outcomes observed in CHEU.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone R. Williams
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Frances C. Robertson
- Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Cape Universities Body Imaging Centre (CUBIC), Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Catherine J. Wedderburn
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jessica E. Ringshaw
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Layla Bradford
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Charmaine N. Nyakonda
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nadia Hoffman
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Shantanu H. Joshi
- Departments of Neurology and Bioengineering, UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Heather J. Zar
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- SAMRC Unit on Child & Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Dan J. Stein
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- SAMRC Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kirsten A. Donald
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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9
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Tsunga L, Lake M, Halligan SL, Malcolm-Smith S, Hoffman N, Heron J, Zar H, Fraser A, Donald K, Stein DJ. Early Childhood Violence Exposure Patterns in The Drakenstein Child Health Study (DCHS). Wellcome Open Res 2023; 8:36. [PMID: 37781446 PMCID: PMC10534083 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.18598.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Research has highlighted high rates of exposure to violence among South African youth. However, work to date has been largely cross-sectional, focused on violence exposure during the adolescence period, and has been limited to specific types of violence exposure. We examined violence exposure in South African preschool children between 3 and 6 years of age, capturing both direct and indirect forms of violence, and tested for potential sex differences across the several types of exposures. Methods: Lifetime direct and indirect exposure to domestic and community violence was measured by parental report when children were 3.5 years (N = 530), 4.5 years (N = 749) and 6 years of age (N= 417) in a South African birth cohort located in a peri-urban community. Results: There are three main findings. First, a large proportion of children (72%-75%) were reported as having been exposed to some form of direct or indirect violent experience in their homes or communities from a young age. Second, there was significant polyvictimization, with 49% of the children being exposed to more than one type of violence by age 6. Third, by 4.5 years of age, there was evidence that boys were more likely than girls to be exposed to domestic victimisation (28% vs. 17%) and polyvictimization (38% vs. 28%). Conclusions: These findings highlight the high levels of violence exposure in young South African children, particularly among boys, and the need for prevention at both the community and individual levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucinda Tsunga
- Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Marilyn Lake
- Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Susan Malcolm-Smith
- ACSENT Laboratory Department of Psychology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nadia Hoffman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jon Heron
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Heather Zar
- Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- The SA-MRC Unit on Child and Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Abigail Fraser
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Kirsten Donald
- Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Dan J. Stein
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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10
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Walton E, Baltramonaityte V, Calhoun V, Heijmans BT, Thompson PM, Cecil CAM. A systematic review of neuroimaging epigenetic research: calling for an increased focus on development. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:2839-2847. [PMID: 37185958 PMCID: PMC10615743 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02067-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation (DNAm), have gained increasing attention as potential biomarkers and mechanisms underlying risk for neurodevelopmental, psychiatric and other brain-based disorders. Yet, surprisingly little is known about the extent to which DNAm is linked to individual differences in the brain itself, and how these associations may unfold across development - a time of life when many of these disorders emerge. Here, we systematically review evidence from the nascent field of Neuroimaging Epigenetics, combining structural or functional neuroimaging measures with DNAm, and the extent to which the developmental period (birth to adolescence) is represented in these studies. We identified 111 articles published between 2011-2021, out of which only a minority (21%) included samples under 18 years of age. Most studies were cross-sectional (85%), employed a candidate-gene approach (67%), and examined DNAm-brain associations in the context of health and behavioral outcomes (75%). Nearly half incorporated genetic data, and a fourth investigated environmental influences. Overall, studies support a link between peripheral DNAm and brain imaging measures, but there is little consistency in specific findings and it remains unclear whether DNAm markers present a cause, correlate or consequence of brain alterations. Overall, there is large heterogeneity in sample characteristics, peripheral tissue and brain outcome examined as well as the methods used. Sample sizes were generally low to moderate (median nall = 98, ndevelopmental = 80), and attempts at replication or meta-analysis were rare. Based on the strengths and weaknesses of existing studies, we propose three recommendations on how advance the field of Neuroimaging Epigenetics. We advocate for: (1) a greater focus on developmentally oriented research (i.e. pre-birth to adolescence); (2) the analysis of large, prospective, pediatric cohorts with repeated measures of DNAm and imaging to assess directionality; and (3) collaborative, interdisciplinary science to identify robust signals, triangulate findings and enhance translational potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Walton
- Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK.
| | | | - Vince Calhoun
- Tri-institutional Center for Translational Research in Neuroimaging and Data Science, Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Bastiaan T Heijmans
- Molecular Epidemiology, Dept. of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Paul M Thompson
- Imaging Genetics Center, Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging & Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Marina del Rey, CA, USA
| | - Charlotte A M Cecil
- Molecular Epidemiology, Dept. of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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11
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Kennedy E, Dennis EL, Lindsey HM, deRoon-Cassini T, Du Plessis S, Fani N, Kaufman ML, Koen N, Larson CL, Laskowitz S, Lebois LAM, Morey RA, Newsome MR, Palermo C, Pastorek NJ, Powers A, Scheibel R, Seedat S, Seligowski A, Stein DJ, Stevens J, Sun D, Thompson P, Troyanskaya M, van Rooij SJH, Watts AA, Tomas CW, Williams W, Hillary FG, Pugh MJ, Wilde EA, Tate DF. Harmonizing PTSD severity scales across instruments and sites. Neuropsychology 2023; 37:398-408. [PMID: 35797175 PMCID: PMC9948684 DOI: 10.1037/neu0000823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The variety of instruments used to assess posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) allows for flexibility, but also creates challenges for data synthesis. The objective of this work was to use a multisite mega analysis to derive quantitative recommendations for equating scores across measures of PTSD severity. METHOD Empirical Bayes harmonization and linear models were used to describe and mitigate site and covariate effects. Quadratic models for converting scores across PTSD assessments were constructed using bootstrapping and tested on hold out data. RESULTS We aggregated 17 data sources and compiled an n = 5,634 sample of individuals who were assessed for PTSD symptoms. We confirmed our hypothesis that harmonization and covariate adjustments would significantly improve inference of scores across instruments. Harmonization significantly reduced cross-dataset variance (28%, p < .001), and models for converting scores across instruments were well fit (median R² = 0.985) with an average root mean squared error of 1.46 on sum scores. CONCLUSIONS These methods allow PTSD symptom severity to be placed on multiple scales and offers interesting empirical perspectives on the role of harmonization in the behavioral sciences. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Eamonn Kennedy
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah School of Medicine
| | - Emily L Dennis
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah School of Medicine
| | | | - Terri deRoon-Cassini
- Department of Surgery, Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin
| | | | - Negar Fani
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine
| | | | - Nastassja Koen
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town
| | | | | | | | | | - Mary R Newsome
- H. Ben Taub Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Baylor College of Medicine
| | - Cori Palermo
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
| | - Nicholas J Pastorek
- H. Ben Taub Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Baylor College of Medicine
| | - Abigail Powers
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine
| | - Randall Scheibel
- H. Ben Taub Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Baylor College of Medicine
| | - Soraya Seedat
- SU/UCT MRC Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University
| | | | - Dan J Stein
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town
| | - Jennifer Stevens
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine
| | - Delin Sun
- Brain Imaging and Analysis Center, Duke University
| | - Paul Thompson
- Imaging Genetics Center, Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine of USC
| | - Maya Troyanskaya
- H. Ben Taub Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Baylor College of Medicine
| | - Sanne J H van Rooij
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine
| | | | | | | | | | - Mary Jo Pugh
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah School of Medicine
| | | | - David F Tate
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah School of Medicine
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12
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Pellowski JA, Wedderburn CJ, Groenewold NA, Roos A, Subramoney S, Hoffman N, Fouche JP, Joshi SH, Woods RP, Narr KL, Zar HJ, Donald KA, Stein DJ. Maternal perinatal depression and child brain structure at 2-3 years in a South African birth cohort study. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:96. [PMID: 36941258 PMCID: PMC10027817 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02395-5] [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: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal perinatal depression is associated with risk of adverse child developmental outcomes and differences in offspring brain structure. Evidence from low- and middle-income countries is lacking as is an investigation of antenatal, postnatal, and persistent depression in the same sample. In a South African birth cohort, we investigated the effect of antenatal and postpartum maternal depressive symptoms on offspring brain structure at 2-3 years of age. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed, extracting cortical thickness and surface areas in frontal cortex regions of interest and subcortical volumes using FreeSurfer software. Maternal depressive symptoms were measured using the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory II antenatally and at 6-10 weeks, 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months postpartum and analyzed dichotomously and continuously. Linear regressions were used controlling for child age, sex, intracranial volume, maternal education, age, smoking, alcohol use and HIV. 146 children were included with 38 (37%) exposed to depressive symptoms antenatally and 44 (35%) exposed postnatally. Of these, 16 (13%) were exposed to both. Postpartum, but not antenatal, depressive symptoms were associated with smaller amygdala volumes in children (B = -74.73, p = 0.01). Persistent maternal depressive symptoms across pregnancy and postpartum were also independently associated with smaller amygdala volumes (B = -78.61, p = 0.047). Differences in amygdala volumes among children exposed to postnatal as well as persistent maternal depressive symptomatology underscore the importance of identifying women at-risk for depression during the entire perinatal period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A Pellowski
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences and International Health Institute, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA.
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Cape Town School of Public Health and Family Medicine, Cape Town, SA, South Africa.
| | - Catherine J Wedderburn
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, England
- The Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, SA, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nynke A Groenewold
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
- The Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, SA, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, SA, South Africa
| | - Annerine Roos
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
- The Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, SA, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, SA, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cape Town, SA, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Sivenesi Subramoney
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nadia Hoffman
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, SA, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cape Town, SA, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jean-Paul Fouche
- The Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, SA, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, SA, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cape Town, SA, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Shantanu H Joshi
- Departments of Neurology, Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Roger P Woods
- Departments of Neurology, Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Katherine L Narr
- Departments of Neurology, Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Heather J Zar
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Unit on Child and Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, SA, South Africa
| | - Kirsten A Donald
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
- The Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, SA, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Dan J Stein
- The Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, SA, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, SA, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cape Town, SA, Cape Town, South Africa
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13
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Neurogenomics in Africa: current state, challenges, opportunities, and recommendation. Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2023; 85:351-354. [PMID: 36845781 PMCID: PMC9949868 DOI: 10.1097/ms9.0000000000000158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurological diseases are becoming more common in Africa. Current estimates indicate that Africa has a significant burden of neurological illnesses, though it is unclear what fraction of the burden may be linked to genetic transmission. In recent years, there has been a significant expansion in the knowledge of the genetic basis of neurological illnesses. This has been made possible mainly by the positional cloning research paradigm, which uses linkage studies to pinpoint specific genes on chromosomes and targeted screening of Mendelian neurological illnesses to identify the causative genes. However, there is currently very little and unequal geographic knowledge about neurogenetics in African people. The lack of collaboration between academics studying neurogenomics and bioinformatics contributes to the scarcity of large-scale neurogenomic investigations in Africa. The primary cause is a shortage of funding from the African government for clinical researchers; this has resulted in heterogeneity in research collaboration in the region as African researchers work more closely with researchers outside the region due to pulling factors of standardized laboratory resources and adequate funding. Therefore, adequate funding is required to elevate researchers' morale and give them the resources they need for their neurogenomic and bioinformatics studies. For Africa to fully benefit from this significant research area, substantial and sustainable financial investments in the training of scientists and clinicians will be required.
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14
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Tsunga L, Lake M, Halligan S, Malcolm-Smith S, Hoffman N, Heron J, Zar H, Fraser A, Donald K, Stein D. Early Childhood Violence Exposure Patterns in The Drakenstein Child Health Study (DCHS). Wellcome Open Res 2023. [DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.18598.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Research has highlighted high rates of exposure to violence among South African youth. However, work to date has been largely cross-sectional, focused on violence exposure during the adolescence period, and has been limited to specific types of violence exposure. We examined violence exposure in South African preschool children between 3 and 6 years of age, capturing both direct and indirect forms of violence, and tested for potential sex differences across the several types of exposures. Methods: Lifetime direct and indirect exposure to domestic and community violence was measured by parental report when children were 3.5 years (N = 530), 4.5 years (N = 749) and 6 years of age (N= 417) in a South African birth cohort located in a peri-urban community. Results: There are three main findings. First, a large proportion of children (72%-75%) were reported as having been exposed to some form of direct or indirect violent experience in their homes or communities from a young age. Second, there was significant polyvictimization, with 49% of the children being exposed to more than one type of violence by age 6. Third, by 4.5 years of age, there was evidence that boys were more likely than girls to be exposed to domestic victimisation (28% vs. 17%) and polyvictimization (38% vs. 28%). Conclusions: These findings highlight the high levels of violence exposure in young South African children, particularly among boys, and the need for prevention at both the community and individual levels.
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15
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Cook CJ, Howard SJ, Cuartas J, Makaula H, Merkley R, Mshudulu M, Tshetu N, Scerif G, Draper CE. Child exposure to violence and self-regulation in South African preschool-age children from low-income settings. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2022; 134:105944. [PMID: 36356426 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Biological and psychosocial stressors that have been associated with income include family dynamics such as household chaos, family conflict, maternal depression, harsh parenting, lower parental responsiveness, and exposure to violence. Research from high income countries has shown that exposure to violence may have detrimental effects on children's self-regulation, with possible flow-on implications for broad later-life outcomes, but less is known about such links in low- and- middle income countries, where many children live in violent communities and households and where physical punishment remains the norm. This study aimed to investigate exposure to violence, in addition to coercive parenting, and its associations with self-regulation among 243 3- to 5-year-olds (M = 4.7 ± 0.6; 51.9 % female) from low-income settings in Cape Town and who were not attending Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE). Results showed that self-regulation was not associated with child exposure to community violence, but it was positively associated with coercive parenting (β = 0.17; p = 0.03). The null concurrent associations between exposure to violence and self-regulation suggest the need for additional research aimed at understanding later potential developmental sequelae. It is important that findings regarding coercive parenting are contextualised within local social norms around parenting styles, as well as the influence of living in dangerous communities on parenting practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caylee J Cook
- SAMRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
| | - Steven J Howard
- Early Start and School of Education, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Jorge Cuartas
- Harvard Graduate School of Education, Cambridge, United States of America & Department of Psychology, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Hleliwe Makaula
- SAMRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Rebecca Merkley
- Department of Cognitive Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Mbulelo Mshudulu
- SAMRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Nosibusiso Tshetu
- SAMRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Gaia Scerif
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Catherine E Draper
- SAMRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
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16
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Hüls A, Wedderburn CJ, Groenewold NA, Gladish N, Jones MJ, Koen N, MacIsaac JL, Lin DTS, Ramadori KE, Epstein MP, Donald KA, Kobor MS, Zar HJ, Stein DJ. Newborn differential DNA methylation and subcortical brain volumes as early signs of severe neurodevelopmental delay in a South African Birth Cohort Study. World J Biol Psychiatry 2022; 23:601-612. [PMID: 34895032 PMCID: PMC9273810 DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2021.2016955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Early detection of neurodevelopmental delay is crucial for intervention and treatment strategies. We analysed associations between newborn DNA methylation (DNAm), neonatal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) neuroimaging data, and neurodevelopment. METHODS Neurodevelopment was assessed in 161 children from the South African Drakenstein Child Health Study at 2 years of age using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development III. We performed an epigenome-wide association study of neurodevelopmental delay using DNAm from cord blood. Subsequently, we analysed if associations between DNAm and neurodevelopmental delay were mediated by altered neonatal brain volumes (subset of 51 children). RESULTS Differential DNAm at SPTBN4 (cg26971411, Δbeta = -0.024, p-value = 3.28 × 10-08), and two intergenic regions (chromosome 11: cg00490349, Δbeta = -0.036, p-value = 3.02 × 10-08; chromosome 17: cg15660740, Δbeta = -0.078, p-value = 6.49 × 10-08) were significantly associated with severe neurodevelopmental delay. While these associations were not mediated by neonatal brain volume, neonatal caudate volumes were independently associated with neurodevelopmental delay, particularly in language (Δcaudate volume = 165.30 mm3, p = 0.0443) and motor (Δcaudate volume = 365.36 mm3, p-value = 0.0082) domains. CONCLUSIONS Differential DNAm from cord blood and increased neonatal caudate volumes were independently associated with severe neurodevelopmental delay at 2 years of age. These findings suggest that neurobiological signals for severe developmental delay may be detectable in very early life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anke Hüls
- Department of Epidemiology and Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Catherine J Wedderburn
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nynke A Groenewold
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Unit on Child and Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nicole Gladish
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Meaghan J Jones
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, and Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Nastassja Koen
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Julia L MacIsaac
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Vancouver, Canada
| | - David T S Lin
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Katia E Ramadori
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Michael P Epstein
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kirsten A Donald
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Michael S Kobor
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Heather J Zar
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Unit on Child and Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Dan J Stein
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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17
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Naudé PJW, Pariante C, Hoffman N, Koopowitz SM, Donald KA, Zar HJ, Stein DJ. Antenatal maternal depression, early life inflammation and neurodevelopment in a South African birth cohort. Brain Behav Immun 2022; 105:160-168. [PMID: 35803482 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2022.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antenatal exposure to maternal psychological adversity, including depression, increases the risk of impaired neurodevelopment in children. The underlying biological mechanisms remain unclear, especially in early life during critical windows of development and maturation. This study investigated the association of antenatal maternal depression, maternal and early life inflammatory markers and neurodevelopmental outcomes in children at 2 years of age. METHODS A subgroup of mothers and their children (n = 255) that were enrolled in a South African birth cohort study, the Drakenstein Child Health Study, were followed from the antenatal period through to 2 years of child age. Maternal depressive symptoms were measured by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) at 26 weeks gestation. Serum inflammatory markers [granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-13, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9)] were measured in mothers at enrolment and in their children at 6-10 weeks and at 2 years. Neurodevelopment was assessed at 2 years using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development III. RESULTS Antenatal depressive symptoms (present in 25% of the mothers) were significantly associated with higher levels of IL-7 (p = 0.008), IL-8 (p = 0.019) and TNF-α (p = 0.031) in the mothers after correcting for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. Serum IL-1β and NGAL levels were significantly elevated over time in children born to mothers with depressive symptoms compared to those without depression, after controlling for maternal and child health and sociodemographic factors. Elevated infant IL-1β at 6-10 weeks of age partially mediated the association of maternal depressive symptoms with poorer language scores at 2 years. CONCLUSION Alterations in early life immunity, as reflected by elevated IL-1β, is a potential pathway through which antenatal maternal depressive symptoms may impact language development in young children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petrus J W Naudé
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Carmine Pariante
- Stress, Psychiatry and Immunology Laboratory, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, UK
| | - Nadia Hoffman
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Kirsten A Donald
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Heather J Zar
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, South Africa; SA-MRC Unit on Child and Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Dan J Stein
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, South Africa; SU/UCT MRC Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, University of Cape Town, South Africa
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18
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Abrishamcar S, Chen J, Feil D, Kilanowski A, Koen N, Vanker A, Wedderburn CJ, Donald KA, Zar HJ, Stein DJ, Hüls A. DNA methylation as a potential mediator of the association between prenatal tobacco and alcohol exposure and child neurodevelopment in a South African birth cohort. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:418. [PMID: 36180424 PMCID: PMC9525659 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-02195-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Prenatal tobacco exposure (PTE) and prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) have been associated with an increased risk of delayed neurodevelopment in children as well as differential newborn DNA methylation (DNAm). However, the biological mechanisms connecting PTE and PAE, DNAm, and neurodevelopment are largely unknown. Here we aim to determine whether differential DNAm mediates the association between PTE and PAE and neurodevelopment at 6 (N = 112) and 24 months (N = 184) in children from the South African Drakenstein Child Health Study. PTE and PAE were assessed antenatally using urine cotinine measurements and the ASSIST questionnaire, respectively. Cord blood DNAm was measured using the EPIC and 450 K BeadChips. Neurodevelopment (cognitive, language, motor, adaptive behavior, socioemotional) was measured using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition. We constructed methylation risk scores (MRS) for PTE and PAE and conducted causal mediation analysis (CMA) with these MRS as mediators. Next, we conducted a high-dimensional mediation analysis to identify individual CpG sites as potential mediators, followed by a CMA to estimate the average causal mediation effects (ACME) and total effect (TE). PTE and PAE were associated with neurodevelopment at 6 but not at 24 months. PTE MRS reached a prediction accuracy (R2) of 0.23 but did not significantly mediate the association between PTE and neurodevelopment. PAE MRS was not predictive of PAE (R2 = 0.006). For PTE, 31 CpG sites and eight CpG sites were identified as significant mediators (ACME and TE P < 0.05) for the cognitive and motor domains at 6 months, respectively. For PAE, 16 CpG sites and 1 CpG site were significant mediators for the motor and adaptive behavior domains at 6 months, respectively. Several of the associated genes, including MAD1L1, CAMTA1, and ALDH1A2 have been implicated in neurodevelopmental delay, suggesting that differential DNAm may partly explain the biological mechanisms underlying the relationship between PTE and PAE and child neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarina Abrishamcar
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Junyu Chen
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Dakotah Feil
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Anna Kilanowski
- Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry, and Epidemiology, Pettenkofer School of Public Health, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Division of Metabolic and Nutritional Medicine, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, University of Munich Medical Center, Munich, Germany
| | - Nastassja Koen
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Aneesa Vanker
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Catherine J Wedderburn
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Kirsten A Donald
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Heather J Zar
- South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Dan J Stein
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Anke Hüls
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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19
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Groenewold NA, Wedderburn CJ, Pellowski JA, Fouché JP, Michalak L, Roos A, Woods RP, Narr KL, Zar HJ, Donald KA, Stein DJ. Subcortical brain volumes in young infants exposed to antenatal maternal depression: Findings from a South African birth cohort. Neuroimage Clin 2022; 36:103206. [PMID: 36162238 PMCID: PMC9668606 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2022.103206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several studies have reported enlarged amygdala and smaller hippocampus volumes in children and adolescents exposed to maternal depression. It is unclear whether similar volumetric differences are detectable in the infants' first weeks of life, following exposure in utero. We investigated subcortical volumes in 2-to-6 week old infants exposed to antenatal maternal depression (AMD) from a South African birth cohort. METHODS AMD was measured with the Beck Depression Inventory 2nd edition (BDI-II) at 28-32 weeks gestation. T2-weighted structural images were acquired during natural sleep on a 3T Siemens Allegra scanner. Subcortical regions were segmented based on the University of North Carolina neonatal brain atlas. Volumetric estimates were compared between AMD-exposed (BDI-II ⩾ 20) and unexposed (BDI-II < 14) infants, adjusted for age, sex and total intracranial volume using analysis of covariance. RESULTS Larger volumes were observed in AMD-exposed (N = 49) compared to unexposed infants (N = 75) for the right amygdala (1.93% difference, p = 0.039) and bilateral caudate nucleus (left: 5.79% difference, p = 0.001; right: 6.09% difference, p < 0.001). A significant AMD-by-sex interaction was found for the hippocampus (left: F(1,118) = 4.80, p = 0.030; right: F(1,118) = 5.16, p = 0.025), reflecting greater volume in AMD-exposed females (left: 5.09% difference, p = 0.001, right: 3.54% difference, p = 0.010), but not males. CONCLUSIONS Volumetric differences in subcortical regions can be detected in AMD-exposed infants soon after birth, suggesting structural changes may occur in utero. Female infants might exhibit volumetric changes that are not observed in male infants. The potential mechanisms underlying these early volumetric differences, and their significance for long-term child mental health, require further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nynke A. Groenewold
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa,South African Medical Research Council (SA-MRC) Unit on Child & Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa,Department of Psychiatry & Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa,The Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa,Corresponding author at: UCT Neuroscience Centre, E-Floor, Room 34, Groote Schuur Hospital, Anzio Road, Observatory, 7925, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Catherine J. Wedderburn
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa,The Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa,Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer A. Pellowski
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences and International Health Institute, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA,Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jean-Paul Fouché
- Department of Psychiatry & Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa,The Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Liza Michalak
- Department of Psychiatry & Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Annerine Roos
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa,The Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa,SA-MRC Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Roger P. Woods
- Departments of Neurology, Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Katherine L. Narr
- Departments of Neurology, Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Heather J. Zar
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa,South African Medical Research Council (SA-MRC) Unit on Child & Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kirsten A. Donald
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa,The Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Dan J. Stein
- Department of Psychiatry & Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa,The Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa,SA-MRC Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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20
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Christensen GM, Rowcliffe C, Chen J, Vanker A, Koen N, Jones MJ, Gladish N, Hoffman N, Donald KA, Wedderburn CJ, Kobor MS, Zar HJ, Stein DJ, Hüls A. In-utero exposure to indoor air pollution or tobacco smoke and cognitive development in a South African birth cohort study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 834:155394. [PMID: 35460774 PMCID: PMC9177804 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS There is increasing evidence indicating that air pollution exposure is associated with neuronal damage. Since pregnancy is a critical window of vulnerability, air pollution exposure during this period could have adverse effects on neurodevelopment. This study aims 1) to analyze associations of prenatal exposure to indoor air pollution (particulate matter with diameters ≤10 μm, PM10) and tobacco smoke with neurodevelopment and 2) to determine whether these associations are mediated by deviations of epigenetic gestational age from chronological gestational age (ΔGA). METHODS Data of 734 children from the South African Drakenstein Child Health Study were analyzed. Prenatal PM10 exposure was measured using devices placed in the families' homes. Maternal smoking during pregnancy was determined by maternal urine cotinine measures. The Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development III (BSID-III) was used to measure cognition, language and motor development and adaptive behavior at two years of age. Linear regression models adjusted for maternal age, gestational age, sex of child, ancestry, birth weight/length, and socioeconomic status were used to explore associations between air pollutants and BSID-III scores. A mediation analysis was conducted to analyze if these associations were mediated by ΔGA using DNA methylation measurements from cord blood. RESULTS An increase of one interquartile range in natural-log transformed PM10 (lnPM10; 1.58 μg/m3) was significantly associated with lower composite scores in cognition, language, and adaptive behavior sub-scores (composite score β-estimate [95%-confidence interval]: -0.950 [-1.821, -0.120]). Maternal smoking was significantly associated with lower adaptive behavior scores (-3.386 [-5.632, -1.139]). Associations were not significantly mediated by ΔGA (e.g., for PM10 and cognition, proportion mediated [p-value]: 4% [0.52]). CONCLUSION We found an association of prenatal exposure to indoor air pollution (PM10) and tobacco smoke on neurodevelopment at two years of age, particularly cognition, language, and adaptive behavior. Further research is needed to understand underlying biological mediators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace M Christensen
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Claire Rowcliffe
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Junyu Chen
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Aneesa Vanker
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nastassja Koen
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Meaghan J Jones
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, Children's Hospital Research, Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Nicole Gladish
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Nadia Hoffman
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kirsten A Donald
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Catherine J Wedderburn
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Michael S Kobor
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Heather J Zar
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, South Africa; South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Dan J Stein
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Anke Hüls
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA; Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, USA.
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21
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Choi KW, Denckla CA, Hoffman N, Budree S, Goddard L, Zar HJ, Stern M, Stein DJ. Influence of Maternal Childhood Trauma on Perinatal Depression, Observed Mother-Infant Interactions, and Child Growth. Matern Child Health J 2022; 26:1649-1656. [PMID: 35508679 PMCID: PMC9826718 DOI: 10.1007/s10995-022-03417-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Mothers who have experienced childhood trauma may be at increased risk for disruptions in caregiving behavior, with potential consequences for early child development. However, assessments of caregiving behavior tend to be self-reported, which may bias results, and have been limited in lower-resource settings. METHODS In an overall sample of 256 South African mothers followed across the perinatal period, this longitudinal study used structural equation modeling to test pathways of association between maternal childhood trauma and depressive symptoms on observed mother-infant interactions at 3.5 months and subsequent child growth outcomes at 1 year. RESULTS On average, mothers with childhood trauma histories tended to show lower rated overall interactions with their infants (B = - 0.16, p = .013), which in turn was associated with reduced child growth at 1 year (B = 0.17, p = .046). When this model was adjusted for maternal age and relative socioeconomic status (SES), maternal SES strongly explained child growth (B = 0.31, p < .001) such that the direct effect of mother-infant interactions was no longer significant. DISCUSSION For child growth in a lower-resource setting, quality of mother-infant interactions could be a relevant predictor but more strongly explained by maternal SES factors, suggesting a need for broader approaches that not only improve dyadic relationships but also address maternal ecological resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karmel W. Choi
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA,Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA,Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA
| | - Christy A. Denckla
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA
| | - Nadia Hoffman
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Groote Schuur Hospital J2, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Shrish Budree
- Unit on Child and Adolescent Health, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa,Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Liz Goddard
- Unit on Child and Adolescent Health, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa,Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Heather J. Zar
- Unit on Child and Adolescent Health, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa,Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Micky Stern
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Groote Schuur Hospital J2, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Dan J. Stein
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Groote Schuur Hospital J2, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa,Research Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
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22
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Subramoney S, Joshi SH, Wedderburn CJ, Lee D, Roos A, Woods RP, Zar HJ, Narr K, Stein DJ, Donald KA. The impact of prenatal alcohol exposure on gray matter volume and cortical surface area of 2 to 3-year-old children in a South African birth cohort. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2022; 46:1233-1247. [PMID: 35581528 PMCID: PMC9357164 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a growing literature that demonstrates the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) on brain development in school-aged children. Less is known, however, on how PAE impacts the brain early in life. We investigated the effects of PAE and child sex on subcortical gray matter volume, cortical surface area (CSA), cortical volume (CV), and cortical thickness (CT) in children aged 2 to 3 years. METHODS The sample was recruited as a nested cross-sectional substudy of the Drakenstein Child Health Study. Images from T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging were acquired on 47 alcohol-exposed and 124 control children (i.e., with no or minimal alcohol exposure), aged 2 to 3 years, some of whom were scanned as neonates. Brain images were processed through automated processing pipelines using FreeSurfer version 6.0. Subcortical and a priori selected cortical regions of interest were compared. RESULTS Subcortical volume analyses revealed a PAE by child sex interaction for bilateral putamen volumes (Left: p = 0.02; Right: p = 0.01). There was no PAE by child sex interaction effect on CSA, CV, and CT. Analyses revealed an impact of PAE on CSA (p = 0.04) and CV (p = 0.04), but not CT in this age group. Of note, the inferior parietal gyrus CSA was significantly smaller in children with PAE compared to control children. CONCLUSIONS Findings from this subgroup scanned at age 2 to 3 years build on previously described subcortical volume differences in neonates from this cohort. Findings suggest that PAE persistently affects gray matter development through the critical early years of life. The detectable influence of PAE on brain structure at this early age further highlights the importance of brain imaging studies on the impact of PAE on the young developing brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sivenesi Subramoney
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's HospitalUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Shantanu H. Joshi
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of California Los AngelesLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of California Los AngelesLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Catherine J. Wedderburn
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's HospitalUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- Department of Clinical ResearchLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUK
- The Neuroscience InstituteUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - David Lee
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of California Los AngelesLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Annerine Roos
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's HospitalUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- The Neuroscience InstituteUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- SA MRC Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, Department of PsychiatryStellenbosch UniversityStellenboschSouth Africa
| | - Roger P. Woods
- Departments of Neurology, Psychiatry and Biobehavioral SciencesUniversity of California Los AngelesLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Heather J. Zar
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's HospitalUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- Unit on Child & Adolescent Health, South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC)University of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Katherine L. Narr
- Departments of Neurology, Psychiatry and Biobehavioral SciencesUniversity of California Los AngelesLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Dan J. Stein
- The Neuroscience InstituteUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental HealthUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- SU/UCT MRC Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental DisordersUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Kirsten A. Donald
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's HospitalUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- The Neuroscience InstituteUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
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Pop-Jordanova N. Identification and management of child development -practice parameters. Arch Public Health 2022. [DOI: 10.3889/aph.2022.6040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The main characteristics of children are phenomena of growth and development. Child development could be defined as a complex unfolding of a series of skills and adaptations, with very predictable stages, that occur in multiple dimensions at approximately the same time and in approximately the same order.There are several types of developmental delays in children. These delays can affect child’s physical, cognitive, communication, social, emotional, or behavioural skills. Developmental delays are common in childhood, occurring in 10%-15% of preschool children in different forms. Global developmental delays are less common, occurring in 1%-3% of preschool children. The article gives some practice parameters for identification and management of child development based on the newest published articles included in the PubMed database.
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Externalizing behavior in preschool children in a South African birth cohort: Predictive pathways in a high-risk context. Dev Psychopathol 2022; 35:982-999. [PMID: 35287770 DOI: 10.1017/s095457942200027x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Mental health problems often begin in early childhood. However, the associations of various individual and contextual risk factors with mental health in the preschool period are incompletely understood, particularly in low- to middle-income countries (LMICs) where multiple risk factors co-exist. To address this gap, we prospectively followed 981 children in a South African birth cohort, the Drakenstein Child Health Study, assessing pre-and postnatal exposures and risk factors. The predictive value of these factors for child mental health (assessed by the Child Behavior Checklist) was modeled using structural equation modeling. We identified two key pathways to greater externalizing behavior: (1) prenatal exposure to substances (alcohol and smoking) directly predicted increased externalizing behavior (β = 0.24, p < 0.001); this relationship was partially mediated by an aspect of infant temperament (negative emotionality; β = 0.05, p = 0.016); (2) lower socioeconomic status and associated maternal prenatal depression predicted more coercive parenting, which in turn predicted increased externalizing behavior (β = 0.18, p = 0.001). Findings in this high-risk LMIC cohort cohere with research from higher income contexts, and indicate the need to introduce integrated screening and intervention strategies for maternal prenatal substance use and depression, and promoting positive parenting across the preschool period.
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25
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Wedderburn CJ, Groenewold NA, Roos A, Yeung S, Fouche JP, Rehman AM, Gibb DM, Narr KL, Zar HJ, Stein DJ, Donald KA. Early structural brain development in infants exposed to HIV and antiretroviral therapy in utero in a South African birth cohort. J Int AIDS Soc 2022; 25:e25863. [PMID: 35041774 PMCID: PMC8765561 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction There is a growing population of children who are HIV‐exposed and uninfected (HEU) with the successful expansion of antiretroviral therapy (ART) use in pregnancy. Children who are HEU are at risk of delayed neurodevelopment; however, there is limited research on early brain growth and maturation. We aimed to investigate the effects of in utero exposure to HIV/ART on brain structure of infants who are HEU compared to HIV‐unexposed (HU). Methods Magnetic resonance imaging using a T2‐weighted sequence was undertaken in a subgroup of infants aged 2–6 weeks enrolled in the Drakenstein Child Health Study birth cohort, South Africa, between 2012 and 2015. Mother–child pairs received antenatal and postnatal HIV testing and ART per local guidelines. We compared subcortical and total grey matter volumes between HEU and HU groups using multivariable linear regression adjusting for infant age, sex, intracranial volume and socio‐economic variables. We further assessed associations between brain volumes with maternal CD4 cell count and ART exposure. Results One hundred forty‐six infants (40 HEU; 106 HU) with high‐resolution images were included in this analysis (mean age 3 weeks; 50.7% male). All infants who were HEU were exposed to ART (88% maternal triple ART). Infants who were HEU had smaller caudate volumes bilaterally (5.4% reduction, p < 0.05) compared to HU infants. There were no group differences in other subcortical volumes (all p > 0.2). Total grey matter volume was also reduced in infants who were HEU (2.1% reduction, p < 0.05). Exploratory analyses showed that low maternal CD4 cell count (<350 cells/mm3) was associated with decreased infant grey matter volumes. There was no relationship between timing of ART exposure and grey matter volumes. Conclusions Lower caudate and total grey matter volumes were found in infants who were HEU compared to HU in the first weeks of life, and maternal immunosuppression was associated with reduced volumes. These findings suggest that antenatal HIV exposure may impact early structural brain development and improved antenatal HIV management may have the potential to optimize neurodevelopmental outcomes of children who are HEU.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine J Wedderburn
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,The Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nynke A Groenewold
- The Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Annerine Roos
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,The Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,SA MRC Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Shunmay Yeung
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Jean-Paul Fouche
- The Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Andrea M Rehman
- MRC International Statistics & Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Diana M Gibb
- MRC Clinical Trials Unit, University College London, London, UK
| | - Katherine L Narr
- Departments of Neurology, Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Heather J Zar
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,SA MRC Unit on Child & Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Dan J Stein
- The Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,SA MRC Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kirsten A Donald
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,The Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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26
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Prenatal depression exposure alters white matter integrity and neurodevelopment in early childhood. Brain Imaging Behav 2022; 16:1324-1336. [PMID: 35000066 PMCID: PMC9107412 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-021-00616-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to maternal depression increases the risk for onset of emotional and behavioral disorders in children. We investigated the effects of exposure to prenatal depression on white matter microstructural integrity at birth and at 2-3 years, and associated neurodevelopment. Diffusion-weighted images were acquired for children of the Drakenstein Child Health Study at 2-4 weeks postpartum (n=70, 47% boys) and at 2-3 years of age (n=60, 58% boys). Tract-Based Spatial Statistics was used to compare, using an ROI based approach, diffusion tensor metrics across groups defined by presence (>19 on Beck's Depression Inventory and/or >12 on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) or absence (below depression thresholds) of depression, and associations with neurodevelopmental measures at age 2-3 years were determined. We did not detect group differences in white matter integrity at neonatal age, but at 2-3 years, children in the exposed group demonstrated higher fractional anisotropy, and lower mean and radial diffusivity in association tracts compared to controls. This was notable in the sagittal stratum (radial diffusivity: p<0.01). Altered white matter integrity metrics were also observed in projection tracts, including the corona radiata, which associated with cognitive and motor outcomes in exposed 2-3-year-olds (p<0.05). Our findings of widespread white matter alterations in 2-3-year-old children with prenatal exposure to depression are consistent with previous findings, as well as with neuroimaging findings in adults with major depression. Further, we identified novel associations of altered white matter integrity with cognitive development in depression-exposed children, suggesting that these neuroimaging findings may have early functional impact.
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27
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Lachman A, Jordaan ER, Stern M, Donald KA, Hoffman N, Lake MT, Zar HJ, Niehaus DJH, Puura K, Stein DJ. The Shared Pleasure Paradigm: A study in an observational birth cohort in South Africa. Arch Womens Ment Health 2022; 25:227-235. [PMID: 34985581 PMCID: PMC8784495 DOI: 10.1007/s00737-021-01199-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Mother-infant dyads in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) may be exposed to a range of factors associated with suboptimal development. Optimal infant development is likely supported by synchronicity in the early mother-infant relationship, but limited corroborative research is available in LMICs. The Drakenstein Child Health Study (DCHS) provided an opportunity to study this synchronicity and its associations in South Africa. A South African birth cohort study investigating early-life determinants of child health in a LMIC context provided participants. The Shared Pleasure (SP) paradigm helped assess early mother-infant synchronicity in videos of a sub-set of 291 mother-infant dyads at their 14-week well baby visit. General linear regression models investigated the relationship between selected maternal and infant characteristics and the presence of Shared Pleasure moments. Out of a possible 291 dyads, 82% (n = 239) yielded Shared Pleasure moments. The mean age of mothers was 27 years, while infant sex distribution comprised 54% females and 46% males. The shortest single Shared Pleasure moment lasted at least 0.5 s and the longest 28 s. Shared Pleasure moments were associated with higher gestation age at delivery (p = 0.008) and higher infant birth weight (p = 0.006), but were not related to mother's mental health and infant health outcomes at 14 weeks. The high frequency of positive Shared Pleasure moments in reciprocal dyadic interactions in this sample suggests that significant disruption in shared pleasure may be present only in extreme cases (e.g. mothers with severe mental disorders). Further work is needed to investigate the mechanisms underlying the associations between early mother-infant synchronicity and better outcomes noted here, and to assess whether SP may serve as a culturally appropriate screen for assessing connectedness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anusha Lachman
- Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Esme R Jordaan
- Biostatistics Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Parow, South Africa
- Department of Statistics and Population Studies, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Micky Stern
- South African Medical Research Council Unit On Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kirsten A Donald
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council Unit On Child and Adolescent Health, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nadia Hoffman
- South African Medical Research Council Unit On Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Marilyn T Lake
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Heather J Zar
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council Unit On Child and Adolescent Health, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Dana J H Niehaus
- Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kaija Puura
- Department of Child Psychiatry, Tampere University and Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Dan J Stein
- South African Medical Research Council Unit On Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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28
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Bertran-Cobo C, Wedderburn CJ, Robertson FC, Subramoney S, Narr KL, Joshi SH, Roos A, Rehman AM, Hoffman N, Zar HJ, Stein DJ, Donald KA. A Neurometabolic Pattern of Elevated Myo-Inositol in Children Who Are HIV-Exposed and Uninfected: A South African Birth Cohort Study. Front Immunol 2022; 13:800273. [PMID: 35419007 PMCID: PMC8995436 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.800273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Exposure to maternal HIV in pregnancy may be a risk factor for impaired child neurodevelopment during the first years of life. Altered neurometabolites have been associated with HIV exposure in older children and may help explain the mechanisms underlying this risk. For the first time, we explored neurometabolic profiles of children who are HIV-exposed and uninfected (CHEU) compared to children who are HIV-unexposed (CHU) at 2-3 years of age. Methods The South African Drakenstein Child Health Study enrolled women during pregnancy and is following mother-child pairs through childhood. MRI scans were acquired on a sub-group of children at 2-3 years. We used single voxel magnetic resonance spectroscopy to measure brain metabolite ratios to total creatine in the parietal grey matter, and left and right parietal white matter of 83 children (36 CHEU; 47 CHU). Using factor analysis, we explored brain metabolite patterns in predefined parietal voxels in these groups using logistic regression models. Differences in relative concentrations of individual metabolites (n-acetyl-aspartate, myo-inositol, total choline, and glutamate) to total creatine between CHEU and CHU groups were also examined. Results Factor analysis revealed four different metabolite patterns, each one characterized by covarying ratios of a single metabolite in parietal grey and white matter. The cross-regional pattern dominated by myo-inositol, a marker for glial reactivity and inflammation, was associated with HIV exposure status (OR 1.63; 95% CI 1.11-2.50) which held after adjusting for child age, sex, and maternal alcohol use during pregnancy (OR 1.59; 95% CI 1.07 -2.47). Additionally, higher relative concentrations of myo-inositol to total creatine were found in left and right parietal white matter of CHEU compared to CHU (p=0.025 and p=0.001 respectively). Discussion Increased ratios of myo-inositol to total creatine in parietal brain regions at age 2-3 years in CHEU are suggestive of early and ongoing neuroinflammatory processes. Altered relative concentrations of neurometabolites were found predominantly in the white matter, which is sensitive to neuroinflammation, and may contribute to developmental risk in this population. Future work on the trajectory of myo-inositol over time in CHEU, alongside markers of neurocognitive development, and the potential for specific neurodevelopmental interventions will be useful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cesc Bertran-Cobo
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Research Master Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Catherine J Wedderburn
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.,Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Frances C Robertson
- Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Cape Universities Body Imaging Centre (CUBIC), Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Sivenesi Subramoney
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Katherine L Narr
- Departments of Neurology, Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Shantanu H Joshi
- Departments of Neurology, Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Annerine Roos
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,SAMRC Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Andrea M Rehman
- MRC International Statistics & Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nadia Hoffman
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Heather J Zar
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,SAMRC Unit on Child & Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Dan J Stein
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,SAMRC Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kirsten A Donald
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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29
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Chen LZ, Holmes AJ, Zuo XN, Dong Q. Neuroimaging brain growth charts: A road to mental health. PSYCHORADIOLOGY 2021; 1:272-286. [PMID: 35028568 PMCID: PMC8739332 DOI: 10.1093/psyrad/kkab022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Mental disorders are common health concerns and contribute to a heavy global burden on our modern society. It is challenging to identify and treat them timely. Neuroimaging evidence suggests the incidence of various psychiatric and behavioral disorders is closely related to the atypical development of brain structure and function. The identification and understanding of atypical brain development provide chances for clinicians to detect mental disorders earlier, perhaps even prior to onset, and treat them more precisely. An invaluable and necessary method in identifying and monitoring atypical brain development are growth charts of typically developing individuals in the population. The brain growth charts can offer a series of standard references on typical neurodevelopment, representing an important resource for the scientific and medical communities. In the present paper, we review the relationship between mental disorders and atypical brain development from a perspective of normative brain development by surveying the recent progress in the development of brain growth charts, including four aspects on growth chart utility: 1) cohorts, 2) measures, 3) mechanisms, and 4) clinical translations. In doing so, we seek to clarify the challenges and opportunities in charting brain growth, and to promote the application of brain growth charts in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Zhen Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Avram J Holmes
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Xi-Nian Zuo
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
- National Basic Science Data Center, Beijing 100190, China
- Developmental Population Neuroscience Research Center, International Data Group/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
- Research Center for Lifespan Development of Mind and Brain, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Qi Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
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30
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Association between maternal depression during pregnancy and newborn DNA methylation. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:572. [PMID: 34750344 PMCID: PMC8576002 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01697-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Around 15-65% of women globally experience depression during pregnancy, prevalence being particularly high in low- and middle-income countries. Prenatal depression has been associated with adverse birth and child development outcomes. DNA methylation (DNAm) may aid in understanding this association. In this project, we analyzed associations between prenatal depression and DNAm from cord blood from participants of the South African Drakenstein Child Health Study. We examined DNAm in an epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) of 248 mother-child pairs. DNAm was measured using the Infinium MethylationEPIC (N = 145) and the Infinium HumanMethylation450 (N = 103) arrays. Prenatal depression scores, obtained with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), were analyzed as continuous and dichotomized variables. We used linear robust models to estimate associations between depression and newborn DNAm, adjusted for measured (smoking status, household income, sex, preterm birth, cell type proportions, and genetic principal components) and unmeasured confounding using Cate and Bacon algorithms. Bonferroni correction was used to adjust for multiple testing. DMRcate and dmrff were used to test for differentially methylated regions (DMRs). Differential DNAm was significantly associated with BDI-II variables, in cg16473797 (Δ beta = -1.10E-02, p = 6.87E-08), cg23262030 (Δ beta per BDI-II total IQR = 1.47E-03, p = 1.18E-07), and cg04859497 (Δ beta = -6.42E-02, p = 1.06E-09). Five DMRs were associated with at least two depression variables. Further studies are needed to replicate these findings and investigate their biological impact.
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31
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Barnett W, Halligan SL, Wedderburn C, MacGinty R, Hoffman N, Zar HJ, Stein D, Donald K. Maternal emotional and physical intimate partner violence and early child development: investigating mediators in a cross-sectional study in a South African birth cohort. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e046829. [PMID: 34711590 PMCID: PMC8557296 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study investigated associations between recent maternal intimate partner violence (IPV) (emotional, physical and sexual) and child development at 2 years as well as whether maternal depression or alcohol use mediated these relationships. DESIGN Cross-sectional study nested in a South African birth cohort. SETTING Two primary care clinics in Paarl, South Africa. PARTICIPANTS 626 mother-child pairs; inclusion criteria for maternal antenatal enrolment were clinic attendance and remaining in the study area for at least 1 year; women were excluded if a minor. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES Child cognitive, language and motor development composite scores. These were assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, third edition. RESULTS Emotional IPV was associated with lower cognitive (β=-0.32; 95% CI -0.60 to -0.04), language (β=-0.36; 95% CI -0.69 to -0.01) or motor composite scores (β=-0.58; 95% CI -0.95 to -0.20) in children at 2 years of age. Physical IPV was associated with lower motor scores (β=-0.42; 95% CI -0.75 to -0.09) at 2 years. Sexual IPV was unrelated to developmental outcomes, possibly due to low prevalence. Neither recent maternal depression nor alcohol use were shown to mediate the relationship between IPV and developmental outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Interventions to reduce maternal physical and emotional IPV and early-life interventions for infants and toddlers are needed to promote optimal child development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Whitney Barnett
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health & South African Medical Research Council Unit on Child & Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Faculty of Health Sciences, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Sarah L Halligan
- Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health & South African Medical Research Council Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, University of Cape Town Faculty of Health Sciences, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Catherine Wedderburn
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health & South African Medical Research Council Unit on Child & Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Faculty of Health Sciences, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Rae MacGinty
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health & South African Medical Research Council Unit on Child & Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Faculty of Health Sciences, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nadia Hoffman
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health & South African Medical Research Council Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, University of Cape Town Faculty of Health Sciences, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Heather J Zar
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health & South African Medical Research Council Unit on Child & Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Faculty of Health Sciences, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Dan Stein
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health & South African Medical Research Council Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, University of Cape Town Faculty of Health Sciences, Cape Town, South Africa
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town Faculty of Health Sciences, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kirsten Donald
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town Faculty of Health Sciences, Cape Town, South Africa
- Division of Developmental Paediatrics, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town Faculty of Health Sciences, Cape Town, South Africa
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32
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Silva SRG, Azevedo PVM, Santos Júnior CJD, Costa JGD, Pavão JMSJ, Santos AFD, Ferreira-Júnior GC, Souza MA, Cavalcanti MGDS, Pereira MEO, Souza EC, Costa GA, Marinho CRM, Ilha AOG, Pinto RS, Matos-Rocha TJ. Environmental characteristics, nutritional and executive functions in children of 6 to 7 years. BRAZ J BIOL 2021; 83:e248778. [PMID: 34669798 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.248778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to analyze the socio-environmental characteristics, executive and nutritional functions in children aged 6 to 7 years, from public schools in Alagoas, Brazil. A quantitative, cross-sectional and descriptive study was performed involving 64 children of the mentioned age group, from public schools located in Alagoas: Maceió, on the coast; Major Isidoro, in the hinterland and Palmeira dos Índios, in the country. Such analyzes were made through the application of neuropsychological tests and anthropometric assessment with children and food and socio-environmental surveys with their parents. As for the type of housing, 100% were made of masonry, with a bathroom present in 98.4%. All children reported with the habit of bathing in the river / lagoon, presented some pathology. There was no significant difference between cities in terms of the sociodemographic characteristics evaluated, with the same result occurring with the factors associated with the occurrence of diseases in children. The subtests of WISC-IV, were below the average in all municipalities, and the TAC and SCC were classified within the average. However, even though the ranking were divided between below average and average, it is possible to identify from the subtests of WISC-IV, that the general IQ showed a cognitive level below the average. There was also no significant difference in the anthropometric assessment (weight, height, BMI and IMCI) between the evaluated students. The average weight was 23.3 kg to 25 kg, the height between 1.23 m to 1.24 m, the BMI between 16.4 to 17; the IMCI from 2.8 to 3.0. Children were classified within the average. Regarding micronutrients (Ca, Fe, K, Mg and Na, and vitamins A, C, D, B1, B9 and B12) and calories, there was also no significant difference between the cities evaluated. The same occurred with macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates and lipids). This study showed that in general there was no difference between the students of the three municipalities. Probably, even though they are all public schools and from different cities, children have similar social conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- S R G Silva
- Centro Universitário CESMAC, Maceió, AL, Brasil
| | | | | | | | | | - A F Dos Santos
- Centro Universitário CESMAC, Maceió, AL, Brasil.,Universidade Estadual de Alagoas - UNEAL, Arapiraca, AL, Brasil
| | - G C Ferreira-Júnior
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Acre - IFAC, Xapuri, AC, Brasil
| | - M A Souza
- Centro Universitário CESMAC, Maceió, AL, Brasil
| | | | | | - E C Souza
- Centro Universitário CESMAC, Maceió, AL, Brasil
| | - G A Costa
- Centro Universitário CESMAC, Maceió, AL, Brasil
| | | | - A O G Ilha
- Universidade de São Paulo - USP, Faculdade de Medicina, Hospital das Clínicas - HCFMUSP, Laboratório de Lipides - LIM10, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - R S Pinto
- Centro Universitário CESMAC, Maceió, AL, Brasil
| | - T J Matos-Rocha
- Centro Universitário CESMAC, Maceió, AL, Brasil.,Universidade Estadual de Ciências da Saúde de Alagoas - UNCISAL, Maceió, AL, Brasil
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Roos A, Wedderburn CJ, Fouche JP, Subramoney S, Joshi SH, Woods RP, Zar HJ, Narr KL, Stein DJ, Donald KA. Central white matter integrity alterations in 2-3-year-old children following prenatal alcohol exposure. Drug Alcohol Depend 2021; 225:108826. [PMID: 34182371 PMCID: PMC8299546 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.108826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) remains a potentially preventable, but pervasive risk factor to neurodevelopment. Yet, evidence is lacking on the impact of alcohol on brain development in toddlers. This study aimed to investigate the impact of PAE on brain white matter integrity in 2-3-year-old children. METHODS Children (n = 83, 30-37 months old) of the Drakenstein Child Health Study birth cohort, underwent diffusion MRI on a 3 T Siemens scanner during natural sleep. Parameters were extracted in children with PAE (n = 25, 56 % boys) and unexposed controls (n = 58, 62 % boys) using Tract-based Spatial Statistics, and compared by group. The contribution of maternal tobacco smoking to white matter differences was also explored. RESULTS Children with PAE had altered fractional anisotropy, radial diffusivity and axial diffusivity in brain stem, limbic and association tracts compared to unexposed controls. Notably lower fractional anisotropy was found in the uncinate fasciculus, and lower mean and radial diffusivity were found in the fornix stria terminalis and corticospinal tract (FDR corrected p < 0.05). There was a significant interaction effect of PAE and prenatal tobacco exposure which lowered mean, radial and axial diffusivity in the corticospinal tract significantly in the PAE group but not controls. CONCLUSION Widespread altered white matter microstructural integrity at 2-3 years of age is consistent with findings in neonates in the same and other cohorts, indicating persistence of effects of PAE through early life. Findings also highlight that prenatal tobacco exposure impacts the association of PAE on white matter alterations, amplifying effects in tracts underlying motor function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annerine Roos
- SAMRC Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, South Africa; Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Catherine J. Wedderburn
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa,Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, South Africa,Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom
| | - Jean-Paul Fouche
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, South Africa,Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Sivenesi Subramoney
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Shantanu H. Joshi
- Departments of Neurology and of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Roger P. Woods
- Departments of Neurology and of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Heather J. Zar
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Katherine L. Narr
- Departments of Neurology and of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Dan J. Stein
- SAMRC Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, South Africa,Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, South Africa,Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kirsten A. Donald
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa,Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, South Africa
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Maternal psychosocial risk factors and child gestational epigenetic age in a South African birth cohort study. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:358. [PMID: 34215722 PMCID: PMC8253754 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01434-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2018] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Accelerated epigenetic aging relative to chronological age has been found to be associated with higher risk of mortality in adults. However, little is known about whether and how in utero exposures might shape child gestational epigenetic age (EA) at birth. We aimed to explore associations between maternal psychosocial risk factors and deviation in child gestational EA at birth (i.e., greater or lower EA relative to chronological age) in a South African birth cohort study-the Drakenstein Child Health Study. Maternal psychosocial risk factors included trauma/stressor exposure; posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); depression; psychological distress; and alcohol/tobacco use. Child gestational EA at birth was calculated using an epigenetic clock previously devised for neonates; and gestational EA deviation was calculated as the residuals of the linear model between EA and chronological gestational age. Bivariate linear regression was then used to explore unadjusted associations between maternal/child risk factors and child gestational EA residuals at birth. Thereafter, a multivariable regression method was used to determine adjusted associations. Data from 271 maternal-child dyads were included in the current analysis. In the multivariable regression model, maternal PTSD was significantly and negatively associated with child gestational EA residuals at birth (β = -1.95; p = 0.018), controlling for study site, sex of the child, head circumference at birth, birthweight, mode of delivery, maternal estimated household income, body mass index (BMI) at enrolment, HIV status, anaemia, psychological distress, and prenatal tobacco or alcohol use. Given the novelty of this preliminary finding, and its potential translational relevance, further studies to delineate underlying biological pathways and to explore clinical implications of EA deviation are warranted.
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Laurenzi CA, Hunt X, Skeen S, Sundin P, Weiss RE, Kosi V, Rotheram-Borus MJ, Tomlinson M. Associations between caregiver mental health and young children's behaviour in a rural Kenyan sample. Glob Health Action 2021; 14:1861909. [PMID: 33397222 PMCID: PMC7801103 DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2020.1861909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Research shows that caregiver mental health problems have direct, significant effects on child behaviour. While these risks are amplified in low-resource settings, limited evidence exists from these places, especially sub-Saharan Africa. Objective: We measured associations between caregiver mental health and child behaviour in a rural Kenyan sample, hypothesizing that higher rates of caregiver mental health would be associated with increased child behavioural problems. We also sought to provide an overview of caregiver mental health symptoms in our sample. Method: Cross-sectional data were collected from caregivers of children ages 4–5 years old enrolled in a community-based early child development programme in western Kenya. 465 caregivers were recruited and assessed at baseline, and answered questions about child behaviour, mental health symptoms (depression, anxiety, stress), and help-seeking. A multivariate linear regression model was used to assess significance of each mental health factor. Results: Caregiver anxiety (p = 0.01) and parenting stress (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with child behavioural problems. 245 caregivers (52.9%) had high levels of symptoms of depression, anxiety, or both; furthermore, 101 caregivers (21.7%) scored above the cut-off for both of these scales. A high proportion of our sample (60.6%) reported seeking some formal or informal psychosocial support services; however, less than one-third of these caregivers were symptomatic (30.9%). Conclusion: Anxiety and stress were associated with poorer child behavioural outcomes. Our sample reflected a higher prevalence of caregiving adults with mental health symptomology than previous estimates from Kenya, with few high-symptom caregivers seeking support. We discuss further implications for programming and health services delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina A Laurenzi
- Institute for Life Course Health Research, Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University , Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Xanthe Hunt
- Institute for Life Course Health Research, Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University , Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Sarah Skeen
- Institute for Life Course Health Research, Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University , Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Phillip Sundin
- Department of Biostatistics, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California , Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Robert E Weiss
- Department of Biostatistics, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California , Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Mary Jane Rotheram-Borus
- Department of Biostatistics, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California , Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Mark Tomlinson
- Institute for Life Course Health Research, Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University , Stellenbosch, South Africa.,School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queens University , Belfast, UK
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Association of maternal and infant inflammation with neurodevelopment in HIV-exposed uninfected children in a South African birth cohort. Brain Behav Immun 2021; 91:65-73. [PMID: 32860940 PMCID: PMC7772888 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2020.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) children may have altered immune regulation and poorer neurodevelopment outcomes compared to their HIV-unexposed (HU) counterparts. However, studies investigating the association of maternal and infant inflammation with neurodevelopment in HEU children are limited and longitudinal data are lacking. This study investigated serum inflammatory markers in women living with HIV vs. HIV-uninfected women during pregnancy and in their children, as well as associations with neurodevelopmental outcomes at two years of age in an African birth cohort study. A sub-group of mother-child dyads from the Drakenstein Child Health Study had serum inflammatory markers measured at ≈26 week's gestation (n = 77 HIV-infected mothers; n = 190 HIV-uninfected mothers), at 6-10 weeks (n = 63 HEU infants and n = 159 HU infants) and at 24-28 months (n = 77 HEU children and n = 190 HU children). Serum inflammatory markers [granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-13, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9)] were analyzed with a multiplex bead array and ELISA assays. The Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, third edition, was used to assess neurodevelopment at 24-28 months. After correcting for multiple comparisons, HIV infection during pregnancy was associated with lower serum levels of inflammatory markers in mothers at 26 weeks gestation (GM-CSF and MMP-9, p < 0.05) and HEU children at 6-10 weeks (IFN-γ and IL-1β, p < 0.01), and at 24-28 months (IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-2 and IL-4, p < 0.05) compared to HIV-uninfected mothers and HU children. In HEU infants at 6-10 weeks, inflammatory markers (GM-CSF, IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6 and NGAL, all p < 0.05) were associated with poorer motor function at two years of age. This is the first study to evaluate the associations of follow-up immune markers in HEU children with neurodevelopment. These findings suggest that maternal HIV infection is associated with immune dysregulation in mothers and their children through two years of age. An altered immune system in HEU infants is associated with poorer follow-up motor neurodevelopment. These data highlight the important role of the immune system in early neurodevelopment and provide a foundation for future research.
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37
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Yrttiaho S, Bruwer B, Zar HJ, Donald KA, Malcolm-Smith S, Ginton L, Hoffman N, Vuong E, Niehaus D, Leppänen JM, Stein DJ. Pupillary and Attentional Responses to Infant Facial Expressions in Mothers Across Socioeconomic Variations. Child Dev 2020; 92:e236-e251. [PMID: 33369736 DOI: 10.1111/cdev.13503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Maternal responses to infant facial expressions were examined in two socioeconomically diverse samples of South African mothers (Study I, N = 111; and Study II, N = 214; age: 17-44 years) using pupil and gaze tracking. Study I showed increased pupil response to infant distress expressions in groups recruited from private as compared to public maternity clinics, possibly reflecting underlying differences in socioeconomic status (SES) across the groups. Study II, sampling uniformly low-SES neighborhoods, found increased pupil dilation and faster orientation to expressions of infant distress, but only in the highest income group. These results are consistent with maternal physiological and attentional sensitivity to infant distress cues but challenge the universality of this sensitivity across socioeconomic diversity.
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Kana MA, Ahmed J, Ashiru AY, Jibrin S, Sunday AD, Shehu K, Safiyan H, Kantiyok C, Yusuf HE, Ibrahim JM, Musa S, Baduku TS, Tabari AM, Barros H, London SJ. Child Electronic Growth Monitoring System: An innovative and sustainable approach for establishing the Kaduna Infant Development (KID) Study in Nigeria. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2020; 34:532-543. [PMID: 32083347 PMCID: PMC7443740 DOI: 10.1111/ppe.12641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Developing countries bear the burden of childhood stunting but lack resources for cohort studies to develop preventive strategies. To enable future prospective studies, we designed and tested the Child Electronic Growth Monitoring System (CEGROMS) using a readily available electronic data capture platform, the Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap). OBJECTIVES To demonstrate the feasibility of using CEGROMS for data collection for a pilot study for the Kaduna Infant Development (KID) Birth Cohort Study in Nigeria. METHODS CEGROMS consists of the data capture form for growth monitoring, a central cloud server, electronic tablets, and desktop computer. We implemented the pilot study in 2017-2019 at the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Kaduna, Nigeria. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for completeness of baseline data (relative to individuals with incomplete data) and completion of follow-up at different time points (relative to individuals with no follow-up visit) by the participant characteristics. Complete data were defined as date of birth, sex, and birthweight recorded at recruitment. RESULTS Among 3152 infant records in CEGROMS, 2789 (88.5%) had complete data. Of these, 1905 (68.3%) had at least one follow-up visit. The main determinants of data completeness were health facility delivery (OR 19.17, 95% CI 13.65, 26.92) and tertiary education (OR 3.54, 95% CI 2.69, 4.67). Follow-up was greater for women with tertiary education (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.06, 1.51 for at least one visit). Maternal education is associated with completeness and follow-up (following adjustments for parity and employment). CONCLUSIONS The CEGROMS electronic data collection system enables complete and consistent data collection. The data will enable design of strategies to improve follow-up in the future implementation of the birth cohort study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Musa A. Kana
- Department of Health and Human ServicesNational Institute of Environmental Health SciencesNational Institutes of HealthResearch Triangle ParkNCUSA,Barau Dikko Teaching HospitalKadunaNigeria,Kaduna State UniversityKadunaNigeria,EPIUnit‐Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do PortoPortoPortugal
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jimoh M. Ibrahim
- Barau Dikko Teaching HospitalKadunaNigeria,Kaduna State UniversityKadunaNigeria
| | - Shuaibu Musa
- Barau Dikko Teaching HospitalKadunaNigeria,Kaduna State UniversityKadunaNigeria
| | - Tokan S. Baduku
- Barau Dikko Teaching HospitalKadunaNigeria,Kaduna State UniversityKadunaNigeria
| | | | - Henrique Barros
- EPIUnit‐Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do PortoPortoPortugal
| | - Stephanie J. London
- Department of Health and Human ServicesNational Institute of Environmental Health SciencesNational Institutes of HealthResearch Triangle ParkNCUSA
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French B, Outhwaite LA, Langley-Evans SC, Pitchford NJ. Nutrition, growth, and other factors associated with early cognitive and motor development in Sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review. J Hum Nutr Diet 2020; 33:644-669. [PMID: 32734599 DOI: 10.1111/jhn.12795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Food insecurity, poverty and exposure to infectious disease are well-established drivers of malnutrition in children in Sub-Saharan Africa. Early development of cognitive and motor skills - the foundations for learning - may also be compromised by the same or additional factors that restrict physical growth. However, little is known about factors associated with early child development in this region, which limits the scope to intervene effectively. To address this knowledge gap, we compared studies that have examined factors associated with early cognitive and/or motor development within this population. METHODS Predetermined criteria were used to examine four publication databases (PsycInfo, Embase, Web of Science and Medline) and identify studies considering the determinants of cognitive and motor development in children aged 0-8 years in Sub-Saharan Africa. RESULTS In total, 51 quantitative studies met the inclusion criteria, reporting on 30% of countries across the region. Within these papers, factors associated with early child development were grouped into five themes: Nutrition, Growth and Anthropometry, Maternal Health, Malaria and HIV, and Household. Food security and dietary diversity were associated with positive developmental outcomes, whereas exposure to HIV, malaria, poor maternal mental health, poor sanitation, maternal alcohol abuse and stunting were indicators of poor cognitive and motor development. DISCUSSION In this synthesis of research findings obtained across Sub-Saharan Africa, factors that restrict physical growth are also shown to hinder the development of early cognitive and motor skills, although additional factors also influence early developmental outcomes. The study also reviews the methodological limitations of conducting research using Western methods in sub-Saharan Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- B French
- Institute of Mental Health, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - L A Outhwaite
- Centre for Education Policy & Equalising Opportunities, Institute of Education, University College London, London, UK.,School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | | | - N J Pitchford
- School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
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40
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Wedderburn CJ, Subramoney S, Yeung S, Fouche JP, Joshi SH, Narr KL, Rehman AM, Roos A, Ipser J, Robertson FC, Groenewold NA, Gibb DM, Zar HJ, Stein DJ, Donald KA. Neuroimaging young children and associations with neurocognitive development in a South African birth cohort study. Neuroimage 2020; 219:116846. [PMID: 32304884 PMCID: PMC7443699 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.116846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an indispensable tool for investigating brain development in young children and the neurobiological mechanisms underlying developmental risk and resilience. Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest proportion of children at risk of developmental delay worldwide, yet in this region there is very limited neuroimaging research focusing on the neurobiology of such impairment. Furthermore, paediatric MRI imaging is challenging in any setting due to motion sensitivity. Although sedation and anesthesia are routinely used in clinical practice to minimise movement in young children, this may not be ethical in the context of research. Our study aimed to investigate the feasibility of paediatric multimodal MRI at age 2–3 years without sedation, and to explore the relationship between cortical structure and neurocognitive development at this understudied age in a sub-Saharan African setting. A total of 239 children from the Drakenstein Child Health Study, a large observational South African birth cohort, were recruited for neuroimaging at 2–3 years of age. Scans were conducted during natural sleep utilising locally developed techniques. T1-MEMPRAGE and T2-weighted structural imaging, resting state functional MRI, diffusion tensor imaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopy sequences were included. Child neurodevelopment was assessed using the Bayley-III Scales of Infant and Toddler Development. Following 23 pilot scans, 216 children underwent scanning and T1-weighted images were obtained from 167/216 (77%) of children (median age 34.8 months). Furthermore, we found cortical surface area and thickness within frontal regions were associated with cognitive development, and in temporal and frontal regions with language development (beta coefficient ≥0.20). Overall, we demonstrate the feasibility of carrying out a neuroimaging study of young children during natural sleep in sub-Saharan Africa. Our findings indicate that dynamic morphological changes in heteromodal association regions are associated with cognitive and language development at this young age. These proof-of-concept analyses suggest similar links between the brain and cognition as prior literature from high income countries, enhancing understanding of the interplay between cortical structure and function during brain maturation. MRI data are challenging to acquire in the early years of life. Paediatric MRI without sedation is feasible in sub-Saharan Africa, with 77% success. The Drakenstein Child Health study has novel MRI data of South African children. Morphological features of the cortex associate with neurocognitive development. Structure-cognition relationships in heteromodal association regions at 2–3 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine J Wedderburn
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK; Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Sivenesi Subramoney
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Shunmay Yeung
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK
| | | | - Shantanu H Joshi
- Departments of Neurology, Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Katherine L Narr
- Departments of Neurology, Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Andrea M Rehman
- MRC Tropical Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Annerine Roos
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, South Africa; SU/UCT MRC Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
| | - Jonathan Ipser
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Psychiatry, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Frances C Robertson
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Cape Universities Brain Imaging Centre (CUBIC), Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nynke A Groenewold
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Psychiatry, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Diana M Gibb
- MRC Clinical Trials Unit, University College, London, UK
| | - Heather J Zar
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, South Africa; SAMRC Unit on Child & Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Dan J Stein
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Psychiatry, University of Cape Town, South Africa; SU/UCT MRC Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kirsten A Donald
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, South Africa
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41
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Lee D, Donald KA, Dalal T, Wedderburn CJ, Roos A, Ipser J, Subramoney S, Zar HJ, Stein DJ, Narr KL, Hellemann G, Woods RP, Joshi SH. BRAIN NETWORK CONNECTIVITY FROM MATCHING CORTICAL FEATURE DENSITIES. PROCEEDINGS. IEEE INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON BIOMEDICAL IMAGING 2020; 2020:995-998. [PMID: 33299534 PMCID: PMC7722986 DOI: 10.1109/isbi45749.2020.9098689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
We present a new method for constructing structural inference brain networks from functional measures of cortical features. Instead of averaging vertex-wise cortical features, we propose the use of full functions of spatial densities of measures such as thickness and use two dimensional pairwise correlations between regions to construct population networks. We show increased within group correlations for both healthy controls and toddlers with prenatal alcohol exposure compared to the existing mean-based correlation approach. Further, we also show significant differences in brain connectivity between the healthy controls and the exposed group.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Lee
- Ahmanson-Lovelace Brain Mapping Center, Department of Neurology, UCLA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, UCLA USA
| | - Kirsten A Donald
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, SA
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, SA
| | - Taykhoom Dalal
- Ahmanson-Lovelace Brain Mapping Center, Department of Neurology, UCLA, USA
- Department of Computer Science, UCLA USA
| | - Catherine J Wedderburn
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, SA
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, SA
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK
| | - Annerine Roos
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, SA
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, SA
- Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, SA
| | - Jonathan Ipser
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, SA
- Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, SA
| | | | - Heather J Zar
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, SA
- SAMRC Unit on Child & Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, SA
| | - Dan J Stein
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, SA
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, SA
- SAMRC Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, University of Cape Town, SA
| | - Katherine L Narr
- Ahmanson-Lovelace Brain Mapping Center, Department of Neurology, UCLA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, UCLA, USA
| | | | - Roger P Woods
- Ahmanson-Lovelace Brain Mapping Center, Department of Neurology, UCLA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, UCLA, USA
| | - Shantanu H Joshi
- Ahmanson-Lovelace Brain Mapping Center, Department of Neurology, UCLA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, UCLA USA
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42
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Hendricks G, Malcolm-Smith S, Stein DJ, Zar HJ, Wedderburn CJ, Nhapi RT, Chivese T, Adnams CM, Donald KA. Prenatal alcohol exposure is associated with early motor, but not language development in a South African cohort. Acta Neuropsychiatr 2020; 32:1-8. [PMID: 31902391 PMCID: PMC7282868 DOI: 10.1017/neu.2019.51] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the association of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and early neurodevelopment in the first 2 years of life, adjusting for maternal socio-demographic and psychosocial factors, in the Drakenstein Child Health Study (DCHS), a South African birth cohort study. METHODS The DCHS comprises a population-based birth cohort of 1143 children, of which a subsample completed the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-III (BSID-III) at 6 (n = 260) and 24 months of age (n = 734). A subset of alcohol-exposed and -unexposed children was included in this analysis at age 6 (n = 52 exposed; n = 104 unexposed) and 24 months (n = 92 exposed; n = 184 unexposed). Multiple hierarchical regression was used to explore the associations of PAE with motor and language development. RESULTS PAE was significantly associated with decreased gross motor [odds ratio (OR) = 0.16, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.06-0.44, p = 0.001] or fine motor (OR = 0.16, 95% CI = 0.06-0.46, p = 0.001) functioning after adjusting for maternal socio-demographic and psychosocial factors at 6 months of age only. No significant effects were found in either receptive or expressive communication and cognitive outcomes at either time points. CONCLUSION PAE has potentially important consequences for motor development in the first 2 years of life, a period during which the most rapid growth and maturation occur. These findings highlight the importance of identifying high-risk families in order to provide preventive interventions, particularly in antenatal clinics and early intervention services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaironeesa Hendricks
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, and SAMRC Unit on Risk and Resilience, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Susan Malcolm-Smith
- Department of Psychology, Applied Cognitive Science and Experimental Neuropsychology Team, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Dan J. Stein
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, and SAMRC Unit on Risk and Resilience, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Heather J. Zar
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- SAMRC Unit on Child and Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Catherine J. Wedderburn
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Raymond T. Nhapi
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Tawanda Chivese
- Department of Population Health, College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Colleen M. Adnams
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kirsten A. Donald
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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MacGinty RP, Kariuki SM, Barnett W, Wedderburn CJ, Hardy A, Hoffman N, Newton CR, Zar HJ, Donald KA, Stein DJ. Associations of antenatal maternal psychological distress with infant birth and development outcomes: Results from a South African birth cohort. Compr Psychiatry 2020; 96:152128. [PMID: 31715335 PMCID: PMC6945113 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2019.152128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Revised: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antenatal maternal psychological distress is common in low and middle-income countries (LMIC), but there is a dearth of research on its effect on birth and developmental outcomes in these settings, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study set out to identify risk factors for antenatal maternal psychological distress and determine whether antenatal maternal psychological distress was associated with infant birth and developmental outcomes, using data from the Drakenstein Child Health Study (DCHS), a birth cohort study in South Africa. METHODS Pregnant women were enrolled in the DCHS from primary care antenatal clinics. Antenatal maternal psychological distress was measured using the Self-Reporting Questionnaire 20-item (SRQ-20). A range of psychosocial measures, including maternal childhood trauma, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were administered. Birth outcomes, including premature birth, weight-for-age z-score and head circumference-for-age z-score, were measured using revised Fenton growth charts. The Bayley III Scales of Infant and Toddler Development was administered at 6 months of age to assess infant development outcomes, including cognitive, language, and motor domains in a subset of n=231. Associations of maternal antenatal psychological distress with psychosocial measures, and with infant birth and developmental outcomes were examined using linear regression models. RESULTS 961 women were included in this analysis, with 197 (21%) reporting scores indicating the presence of psychological distress. Antenatal psychological distress was associated with maternal childhood trauma, antenatal depression, and PTSD, and inversely associated with partner support. No association was observed between antenatal maternal psychological distress and preterm birth or early developmental outcomes, but antenatal maternal psychological distress was associated with a smaller head circumference at birth (coefficient=-0.30, 95% CI: -0.49; -0.10). CONCLUSION Antenatal maternal psychological distress is common in LMIC settings and was found to be associated with key psychosocial measures during pregnancy, as well as with adverse birth outcomes, in our study population. These associations highlight the potential value of screening for antenatal maternal psychological distress as well as of developing targeted interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- R P MacGinty
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, South Africa; South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Unit on Child & Adolescent Health, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - S M Kariuki
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya; Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, UK
| | - W Barnett
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, South Africa; South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Unit on Child & Adolescent Health, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - C J Wedderburn
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - A Hardy
- Statistical Consulting Service, Department of Statistical Science, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - N Hoffman
- Department of Psychiatry & Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - C R Newton
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya; Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, UK
| | - H J Zar
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, South Africa; South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Unit on Child & Adolescent Health, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - K A Donald
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - D J Stein
- Department of Psychiatry & Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, South Africa; South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Unit on Risk & Resilience in Mental Disorders, South Africa
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Zar HJ, Pellowski JA, Cohen S, Barnett W, Vanker A, Koen N, Stein DJ. Maternal health and birth outcomes in a South African birth cohort study. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0222399. [PMID: 31751344 PMCID: PMC6874071 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0222399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Maternal physical and mental health during pregnancy are key determinants of birth outcomes. There are relatively few prospective data that integrate physical and mental maternal health measures with birth outcomes in low- and middle-income country settings. We aimed to investigate maternal health during pregnancy and the impact on birth outcomes in an African birth cohort study, the Drakenstein Child Health Study. Methods Pregnant women attending 2 public health clinics, Mbekweni (serving a predominantly black African population) and TC Newman (predominantly mixed ancestry) in a poor peri-urban area of South Africa were enrolled in their second trimester and followed through childbirth. All births occurred at a single public hospital. Maternal sociodemographic, physical and psychosocial characteristics were comprehensively assessed. Multivariable linear regression models were used to explore associations between maternal health and birth outcomes. Results Over 3 years, 1137 women (median age 25.8 years; 21% HIV-infected) gave birth to 1143 live babies. Most pregnancies were uncomplicated but gestational diabetes (1%), anaemia (22%) or pre-eclampsia (2%) occurred in a minority. Most households (87%) had a monthly income of less than USD 350; only 27% of moms were employed and food insecurity was common (37%). Most babies (80%) were born by vaginal delivery at full term; 17% were preterm, predominantly late preterm. Only 74 (7%) of babies required hospitalisation immediately after birth and only 2 babies were HIV-infected. Food insecurity, socioeconomic status, pregnancy-associated hypertension, pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes and mixed ancestry were associated with lower infant gestational age while maternal BMI at enrolment was associated with higher infant gestational age. Primigravida or alcohol use during pregnancy were negatively associated with infant birth weight and head circumference. Maternal BMI at enrolment was positively associated with birth weight and gestational diabetes was positively associated with birth weight and head circumference for gestational age. Smoking during pregnancy was associated with lower infant birth weight. Conclusion Several modifiable risk factors including food insecurity, smoking, and alcohol consumption during pregnancy were identified as associated with negative birth outcomes, all of which are amenable to public health interventions. Interventions to address key exposures influencing birth outcomes are needed to improve maternal and child health in low-middle income country settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather J. Zar
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital and SA-MRC Unit on Child & Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- * E-mail:
| | - Jennifer A. Pellowski
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Sophie Cohen
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital and SA-MRC Unit on Child & Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Whitney Barnett
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital and SA-MRC Unit on Child & Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Aneesa Vanker
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital and SA-MRC Unit on Child & Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nastassja Koen
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health and SA-MRC Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Dan J. Stein
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health and SA-MRC Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Wedderburn CJ, Yeung S, Rehman AM, Stadler JAM, Nhapi RT, Barnett W, Myer L, Gibb DM, Zar HJ, Stein DJ, Donald KA. Neurodevelopment of HIV-exposed uninfected children in South Africa: outcomes from an observational birth cohort study. THE LANCET. CHILD & ADOLESCENT HEALTH 2019; 3:803-813. [PMID: 31515160 PMCID: PMC6876655 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-4642(19)30250-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Revised: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND HIV infection is known to cause developmental delay, but the effects of HIV exposure without infection during pregnancy on child development are unclear. We compared the neurodevelopmental outcomes of HIV-exposed uninfected and HIV-unexposed children during their first 2 years of life. METHODS Pregnant women (>18 years of age) at 20-28 weeks' gestation were enrolled into the Drakenstein Child Health cohort study while attending routine antenatal appointments at one of two peri-urban community-based clinics in Paarl, South Africa. Livebirths born to enrolled women during follow-up were included in the birth cohort. Mothers and infants received antenatal and postnatal HIV testing and antiretroviral therapy per local guidelines. Developmental assessments on the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, third edition (BSID-III), were done in a subgroup of infants at 6 months of age, and in the full cohort at 24 months of age, with assessors masked to HIV exposure status. Mean raw scores and the proportions of children categorised as having a delay (scores <-2 SDs from the reference mean) on BSID-III were compared between HIV-exposed uninfected and HIV-unexposed children. FINDINGS 1225 women were enrolled between March 5, 2012, and March 31, 2015. Of 1143 livebirths, 1065 (93%) children were in follow-up at 6 months and 1000 (87%) at 24 months. Two children were diagnosed with HIV infection between birth and 24-month follow-up and were excluded from the analysis. BSID-III assessments were done in 260 (24%) randomly selected children (61 HIV-exposed uninfected, 199 HIV-unexposed) at 6 months and in 732 (73%) children (168 HIV-exposed uninfected, 564 HIV-unexposed) at 24 months. All HIV-exposed uninfected children were exposed to antiretrovirals (88% to maternal triple antiretroviral therapy). BSID-III outcomes did not significantly differ between HIV-exposed uninfected and HIV-unexposed children at 6 months. At 24 months, HIV-exposed uninfected children scored lower than HIV-unexposed for receptive language (adjusted mean difference -1·03 [95% CI -1·69 to -0·37]) and expressive language (-1·17 [-2·09 to -0·24]), whereas adjusted differences in cognitive (-0·45 [-1·32 to 0·43]), fine motor (0·09 [-0·49 to 0·66]), and gross motor (-0·41 [-1·09 to 0·27]) domain scores between groups were not significant. Correspondingly, the proportions of HIV-exposed uninfected children with developmental delay were higher than those of HIV-unexposed children for receptive language (adjusted odds ratio 1·96 [95% CI 1·09 to 3·52]) and expressive language (2·14 [1·11 to 4·15]). INTERPRETATION Uninfected children exposed to maternal HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy have increased odds of receptive and expressive language delays at 2 years of age. Further long-term work is needed to understand developmental outcomes of HIV-exposed uninfected children, especially in regions such as sub-Saharan Africa that have a high prevalence of HIV exposure among children. FUNDING Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, SA Medical Research Council, Wellcome Trust.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine J Wedderburn
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | - Shunmay Yeung
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Andrea M Rehman
- Medical Research Council Tropical Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Jacob A M Stadler
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; South African Medical Research Council Unit on Child and Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Raymond T Nhapi
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Whitney Barnett
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; South African Medical Research Council Unit on Child and Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Landon Myer
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Centre for Infectious Diseases Epidemiology and Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Diana M Gibb
- Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Unit, University College London, London, UK
| | - Heather J Zar
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; South African Medical Research Council Unit on Child and Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Dan J Stein
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; South African Medical Research Council Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kirsten A Donald
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Risk and protective factors for child development: An observational South African birth cohort. PLoS Med 2019; 16:e1002920. [PMID: 31560687 PMCID: PMC6764658 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1002920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Approximately 250 million (43%) children under the age of 5 years in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are failing to meet their developmental potential. Risk factors are recognised to contribute to this loss of human potential. Expanding understanding of the risks that lead to poor outcomes and which protective factors contribute to resilience in children may be critical to improving disparities. METHODS AND FINDINGS The Drakenstein Child Health Study is a population-based birth cohort in the Western Cape, South Africa. Pregnant women were enrolled between 20 and 28 weeks' gestation from two community clinics from 2012 to 2015; sociodemographic and psychosocial data were collected antenatally. Mothers and children were followed through birth until 2 years of age. Developmental assessments were conducted by trained assessors blinded to background, using the Bayley-III Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (BSID-III), validated for use in South Africa, at 24 months of age. The study assessed all available children at 24 months; however, some children were not able to attend, because of loss to follow-up or unavailability of a caregiver or child at the correct age. Of 1,143 live births, 1,002 were in follow-up at 24 months, and a total of 734 children (73%) had developmental assessments, of which 354 (48.2%) were girls. This sample was characterised by low household employment (n = 183; 24.9%) and household income (n = 287; 39.1% earning <R1,000 per month), and high prevalence of maternal psychosocial risk factors including alcohol use in pregnancy (n = 95; 14.5%), smoking (n = 241; 34.7%), depression (n = 156; 23.7%), lifetime intimate partner violence (n = 310; 47.3%), and history of maternal childhood trauma (n = 228; 34.7%). A high proportion of children were categorised as delayed (defined by scoring < -1 standard deviation below the mean scaled score calculated using the BSID-III norms from a United States population) in different domains (369 [50.5%] cognition, 402 [55.6%] receptive language, 389 [55.4%] expressive language, 169 [23.2%] fine motor, and 267 [38.4%] gross motor). Four hundred five (55.3%) children had >1 domain affected, and 75 (10.2%) had delay in all domains. Bivariate and multivariable analyses revealed several factors that were associated with developmental outcomes. These included protective factors (maternal education, higher birth weight, and socioeconomic status) and risk factors (maternal anaemia in pregnancy, depression or lifetime intimate partner violence, and maternal HIV infection). Boys consistently performed worse than girls (in cognition [β = -0.74; 95% CI -1.46 to -0.03, p = 0.042], receptive language [β = -1.10; 95% CI -1.70 to -0.49, p < 0.001], expressive language [β = -1.65; 95% CI -2.46 to -0.84, p < 0.001], and fine motor [β = -0.70; 95% CI -1.20 to -0.20, p = 0.006] scales). There was evidence that child sex interacted with risk and protective factors including birth weight, maternal anaemia in pregnancy, and socioeconomic factors. Important limitations of the study include attrition of sample from birth to assessment age and missing data in some exposure areas from those assessed. CONCLUSIONS This study provides reliable developmental data from a sub-Saharan African setting in a well-characterised sample of mother-child dyads. Our findings highlight not only the important protective effects of maternal education, birth weight, and socioeconomic status for developmental outcomes but also sex differences in developmental outcomes and key risk and protective factors for each group.
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