Yasumitsu-Lovell, K., Thompson, L. , Fernell, E., Eitoku, M., Suganuma, N. and Gillberg, C. (2021) Birth month and infant gross motor development: results from the Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS). PLoS ONE, 16(5), e0251581. (doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251581) (PMID:34014944) (PMCID:PMC8136702)
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Abstract
The association between birth month and neurodevelopmental or psychiatric disorders has been investigated in a number of previous studies; however, the results have been inconsistent. This study investigated the association between birth month and child gross motor development at 6 and 12 months of age in a large cohort of infants (n = 72,203) participating in the Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS). Gross motor development was assessed using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3). At 6 months and 12 months, 20.7% and 14.2%, respectively, had ASQ-3 indications of gross motor problems. Birth month was strongly associated with gross motor development at both time points, particularly at 6 months. Summer-born infants had the worst outcomes at both 6 months and 12 months of age. This outcome applied to the ASQ-3 score itself and to the adjusted Relative Risk (aRR), with the highest aRRs (relative to January-born) among August-born (aRR 2.51; 95%CI 2.27–2.78 at 6 months), and June-born (aRR 1.84; 95%CI 1.63–2.09 at 12 months). Boys had better scores than girls both at 6 and 12 months of age. We speculate that seasonal factors—such as maternal vitamin D deficiency and influenza infection—affecting the fetus in early pregnancy might account for the findings.
Item Type: | Articles |
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Additional Information: | The Japan Environment and Children’s Study is funded by the Ministry of the Environment, Japan. |
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Thompson, Dr Lucy and Gillberg, Professor Christopher |
Creator Roles: | Thompson, L.Formal analysis, Supervision, Writing – review and editing Gillberg, C.Investigation, Supervision, Writing – review and editing |
Authors: | Yasumitsu-Lovell, K., Thompson, L., Fernell, E., Eitoku, M., Suganuma, N., and Gillberg, C. |
College/School: | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing |
Journal Name: | PLoS ONE |
Publisher: | Public Library of Science |
ISSN: | 1932-6203 |
ISSN (Online): | 1932-6203 |
Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2021 Yasumitsu-Lovell et al. |
First Published: | First published in PLoS ONE 16(5): e0251581 |
Publisher Policy: | Reproduced under a Creative Commons License |
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