Developmental status at age 12 months according to birth weight and family income: A comparison of two Brazilian birth cohorts

Ricardo Halpern, Aluísio J D Barros, Alicia Matijasevich, Iná S. Santos, Cesar G. Victora, Fernando C. Barros

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

33 Scopus citations

Abstract

Two cohorts of children born in the city of Pelotas, Southern Brazil, in 1993 and 2004, were compared in terms of neuro-psychomotor development at the age of 12 months. Children were evaluated using the Denver II screening test. Analyses were performed using the Poisson regression technique. The prevalence of suspected developmental delay fell from 37,1% in 1993 to 21.4% in 2004 and was inversely proportional to family income and birth weight. Among children born weighing under 2,000 g, there was a fourfold reduction in the prevalence of developmental delay between 1993 and 2004. With regard to family income, the poorest group showed the greatest reduction between the two cohorts - a 30% reduction in risk. Our results confirm the influence of income and birth weight on child development. The decrease in the prevalence of developmental delay in the last decade reflects, among other factors, improvements in neonatal care, increased coverage of developmental monitoring in the first year of life, and longer breastfeeding duration. Despite this reduction, the prevalence of developmental delay is still high, reinforcing the need for early diagnosis and intervention.

Original languageEnglish (US)
JournalCadernos de saúde pública / Ministério da Saúde, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública.
Volume24
Issue numberSUPPL.3
StatePublished - 2008
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Child development
  • Cohort studies
  • Low birth weight infant

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Developmental status at age 12 months according to birth weight and family income: A comparison of two Brazilian birth cohorts'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this