The relationship between birth season and early childhood development: Evidence from northwest rural China

Abstract

ObjectiveTo examine the correlation between birth season and early childhood development.BackgroundAlmost all previous studies that examine the effect of birth season on early childhood development were conducted in developed countries with a limited sample size. The present study was conducted in poor, rural areas of western China, a developing region with a continental monsoon climate.MethodWe administered a hemoglobin test to 650 infants (52% boys), aged 8–10 months, using a Hemocue Hb 201+ finger prick system, and assessed the cognitive and psychomotor development of sample infants using Bayley Scales of Infant Development.ResultsInfants born in winter have higher Hb concentrations (t = 3.63, p < 0.001) compared to infants born in summer. Similarly, cognitive development scores (t = 5.17, p < 0.001) and psychomotor development scores (t = 10.60, p < 0.001) were significantly higher among winter-born infants.ConclusionThe findings point to the involvement of birth season in early childhood development and suggest that aspects of the environment shape the experiences that contribute to early childhood development. Policy suggestions such as providing infants with ample opportunities for movement and stimulation during the cold season are discussed.

Birth month and infant gross motor development: Results from the Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS)

“…A Japanese study (n = 742 infants) found that March/April-born performed the best, although the seasonality trend disappeared at 14 months of age [ 12 ]. Among infants in the U.S.A. (Denver), summer/fall-born started crawling three weeks later than winter/spring-born (n = 425), while among infants in China, winter-born scored higher on cognitive and psychomotor development tests at 8 to 10 months of age (n = 650) [ 14 , 16 ]. McGrath et al [ 8 ] reported that winter/spring-born showed superior motor development at 8 months and 4 years but not at 7 years of age among 22,123 participants.…”

“…Bai at el. [ 16 ] pointed out the possibility of positive climatic factors during summer, which provide a more preferable environment for infants to explore around, as well as more nutritious food when they start weaning. The narrowing of the gap between the peak and the trough of the cyclical aRR trends at 12 months of age may also indicate that prenatal negative effects on summer-born infants (particularly during the first trimester) gradually subside, or that prenatal positive effects on winter-born infants gradually diminish due to the environment after birth.…”

“…three weeks later than winter/spring-born (n = 425), while among infants in China, winterborn scored higher on cognitive and psychomotor development tests at 8 to 10 months of age (n = 650) [14,16]. McGrath et al [8] reported that winter/spring-born showed superior motor development at 8 months and 4 years but not at 7 years of age among 22,123 participants.…”

“…Early abnormal or unusual neuromotor development in a child, particularly gross motor development, may indicate a later-appearing neurodevelopmental disorder, regarded as the "dominant domain of neurodevelopment, particularly the first year of life [12]" and a possible early marker for ASD [12,13]. However, like the discrepant findings of birth season effects on neurodevelopmental disorders, the results of a limited number of previous studies on the association between birth month/season and early childhood motor development have also varied across different countries in the northern hemisphere, ranging from winter/ spring-born outperforming others to no association [8,12,[14][15][16]. Tsuchiya et al [12] concluded that among 742 Japanese infants, although the winter/spring-born were more advanced in their motor development at 6 and 10 months of age, the advantage disappeared at 14 months; in contrast, McGrath et al [8] found that among 22,123 American children, the winter/spring-born showed better motor development all the way from 8 months up to 7 years of age.…”

Changes in NSE and S‑100β during the perioperative period and effects on brain injury in infants with biliary atresia undergoing parent donor liver transplantation

“…The Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID) is a standardized technique and measurement tool for evaluating the psychomotor behaviors of children aged between 2 months and 3 years ( 28 ). BSID revised by the Hunan Medical University in 1990 was used to assess the psychomotor and behavior development conditions of all of the infants ( 29 ). According to the raw score, the corresponding mental development index (MDI) and psychomotor development index (PDI) were calculated to analyze the effect of liver transplantation on the neurocognitive behaviors of infants.…”