Determinants of neurodevelopment in early childhood - results from the Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood (COPSAC₂₀₁₀ ) Mother-Child Cohort

Aim: The objective of this study was to identify possible pre- and postnatal factors influencing neurodevelopment of the young child.

Methods: We used data from the Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood 2010 (COPSAC₂₀₁₀) mother-child cohort, but excluded those with a neurological diagnosis, born <37 weeks of gestation and birth weights <2500g, resulting in 650 children analyzed. Neurodevelopment was assessed as age of achievement of early milestones, language scores at 1 and 2 years and cognitive score at 2 ½ years of age.

Results: Neurodevelopmental scores were not associated with breastfeeding, persistent wheeze, eczema, and number of sick days (p>0.05 in all tests). Early age at milestone achievement was associated with male sex (p=0.05), lower maternal age (p=0.02), higher gestational age (p<0.001) and paternity leave (p=0.01). A higher 1-year language score was associated with female sex (p=0.02) and maternal smoking during pregnancy (p=0.01) and a higher 2-year language score with female sex (p<0.001) and being first born (p=0.01). A higher cognitive score was associated with female sex (p=0.02).

Conclusion: Neurodevelopmental scores were unrelated to breast-feeding, persistent wheeze, eczema, and number of sick days.