OS_32. Cognitive development
Sunday, October 02nd, 2011 [15:40 - 16:40]
TALKS
OS_32.1 - Family ecology and cognitive development in two-year-old children
velasco, D. 1 , Egurza, M. 1 , Lertxundi, A. 1, 2, 4 , Aranbarri, A. 1, 4 , Begiristain, H. 4 , Santa Marina, L. 2, 3, 4 , Basterrechea, M. 2, 3, 4 , Ibarluzea, J. 2, 3, 4 & Arranz, E. 1
1 University of Basque Country, Spain
2 Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain
3 Public Health Division of Gipuzkoa, Basque Government, Spain
4 Health Research Institute, Biodonostia, San Sebastián, Spain
The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development has reported that high scores in family context were associated with higher scores in cognitive development as measured by the Bayley Scales in areas such as cognitive and language development as well as motor skills. The aim of our study was to analyze the relationship between family ecology and cognitive development in kindergarten-age children. The working sample is drawn from 461 families in the INMA-Gipuzkoa cohort. Cognitive development was assessed using the Bayley scales while the quality of family context was evaluated using the ''Etxadi Gangoiti'' scale for 2 year olds. Results show that the higher the scores in family ecology, the higher scores obtained in cognitive development. Moreover, it is very important to note that we found differences in cognitive development depending on the quality of ''the stimulation of cognitive and linguistic development'' and on ''social-emotional stimulation''. In conclusion, family context is closely related to cognitive development. Moreover, a higher quality of family context favors children's cognitive development and should be taken it into account when conducting clinical and educational research into children's cognitive development.
OS_32.2 - Organochlorine exposure and neurodevelopment in preschool children from the Gipuzkoa-INMA project
Lertxundi, N. 1, 4 , Lertxundi, A. 1, 3, 4 , Fano, E. 1 , Basterrechea, M. 2, 3, 4 , Santa Marina, L. 2, 3, 4 , Begiristain, H. 4 , Arranz, E. 1 , Vegas, O. 1 & Ibarluzea, J. 2, 3, 4
1 University of Basque Country, Spain
2 Public Health Division of Gipuzkoa, Basque Government, Spain
3 Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain
4 Health Research Institute, Biodonostia, San Sebastián, Spain
Background and Aims: Persistent organochlorine compounds (POCs) were widely used in the past. Diet is the major route of exposure to these compounds. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of prenatal POC exposure on neurodevelopment. Methods: 489 mothers and their 14-month-old children (www.proyectoinma.org) participated in this study. Data were collected during pregnancy, at birth and at 14 months of age, including: socio-demographic characteristics, medical and reproductive history and diet. Cognitive and psychomotor development of the children was assessed using the Bayley Scales. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and pesticides (HCB, β-HCH, γ-HCH, p,p’-DDE and p,p’-DDT) were measured in maternal serum in the 12th week of gestation. In addition, Hg levels were measured in umbilical cord serum. Multivariate linear regression models were developed to further assess the relationship between COPs and neurodevelopment. Results: We found a significant relationship between level of PCBs and cognitive development β: -6.72 (95% CI: -2.12;-11.32) and psychomotor development β: -7.24 (95% CI: -1.71;-12.77). Conclusions: Prenatal exposure to PCBs may have a negative influence on cognitive and psychomotor development at early stages in children. We believe that it is important to analyse the influence of COPs at older ages using more accurate and reliable instruments.
OS_32.3 - Family context and cognitive development
Arranz, E. 1 , Velasco, D. 1 , Olabarrieta, F. 1 , Egurza, M. 1 , Galende, N. 1 , Manzano, A. 2 , Martin, J. L. 2 , Ibarluzea, J. 3 , Sanchez de Miguel, M. 1 & Lertxundi, A. 3
1 Basque Country University
2 Etxadi, University Center
3 Subdirección Salud Pública Guipuzcoa
The goal of a series of studies conducted by groups Etxadi and Inma was to test the influence of family context variables on several fields of children´s cognitive development. Protocols to assess in depth the quality of family context were carried out, on samples of children aged from 2 to 10 years, in order to analyze its influence on cognitive development, measured through reliable instruments. Family context variables, as general quality of context, mother´s educational level, the use of scaffolding strategies during play and family conflict, among others, showed significant associations with theory of mind development, general intelligence, social comprehension skills and special talents in gifted children. The family context influence should be taken into account to find out its moderation relationship with other influencing factors on cognitive development. Data obtained support the development and implementation of family context enrichment programs aimed to improve cognitive development in children.