ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of gestational age and birth weight on brain volumes in a population-based sample of normal developing children at the age of 9 years. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 192 children from twin births were included in the analyses. Data on gestational age and birth weight were reported shortly after birth. Total brain, cerebellum, cerebrum, gray and white matter, and lateral ventricle volumes were assessed with structural magnetic resonance imaging. The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-III was administered to assess general cognitive abilities. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the effects of gestational age and birth weight on brain volumes. RESULTS: Shorter gestational age was associated with a relatively smaller cerebellar volume (P = .002). This effect was independent of IQ scores. Lower birth weight was associated with lower IQ score (P = .03). Birth weight was not associated with brain volumes. CONCLUSION: The effect of gestational age on cerebellar volume is not limited to children with very premature birth or very low birth weight, but is also present in children born >32 weeks of gestation and with birth weight >1500 g.
Subject(s)
Birth Weight/physiology , Brain/growth & development , Child Development/physiology , Gestational Age , Cerebellum/growth & development , Child , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Infant, Premature , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Organ Size , Term BirthABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: We examined whether and when differences in body size disappear over time and whether twins attain normal final height and body mass index (BMI). STUDY DESIGN: Height, weight, and BMI data of twins at ages 1, 4, and 18 years were compared with data from their nontwin siblings. Second, twin and sibling data were compared with population standards. In addition to height, weight, and BMI, data on body proportions at age 18 years were analyzed. RESULTS: At the age of 18 years, twins were as tall as their siblings but were significantly leaner. Compared with children from the general population, adolescent twins attained the same height and BMI. Birth weight was shown to have a considerable effect on height in adolescent twins. CONCLUSIONS: Twins attained normal final height compared with siblings and children from the general population. No differences in BMI were shown between 18-year-old twins and children from the general population, whereas the siblings of twins had increased BMI values compared with the general population.
Subject(s)
Adolescent Development/physiology , Body Size/physiology , Child Development/physiology , Siblings , Twins/physiology , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , NetherlandsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether there is an association between catch-up growth and cognitive performance in humans. STUDY DESIGN: Catch-up growth was defined as the change in weight standard deviation scores during the first 2 years of life. Cognitive performance was assessed with psychometric IQ tests, administered at ages 12 and 18 years. Data were collected in twin pairs, and analyses were carried out within pairs. RESULTS: There was a significant negative association between catch-up growth and IQ at both ages 12 and 18 years. CONCLUSIONS: A larger gain in weight during the first 2 years of life is associated with a lower IQ. However, catch-up growth is correlated with birth weight and this correlation may explain part of the association.