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

PLoS One. 2018 Oct 11;13(10):e0205281. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0205281. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Objective: To examine the correlation between birth season and early childhood development.

Background: Almost 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.

Method: We 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.

Results: Infants 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.

Conclusion: The 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.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anemia / blood
  • Anemia / physiopathology*
  • Child Development / physiology*
  • China
  • Cognition / physiology*
  • Female
  • Hemoglobins / analysis
  • Hemoglobins / physiology
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Parturition*
  • Pregnancy
  • Psychomotor Performance / physiology*
  • Rural Population / statistics & numerical data
  • Seasons*

Substances

  • Hemoglobins

Grants and funding

This research was supported by the 111 Project (Grant number B16031 to SR), http://www.moe.gov.cn/srcsite/A16/kjs_gjhz/201511/t20151130_221899.html; the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Number 71703084 to YB), https://isisn.nsfc.gov.cn/egrantweb/; Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (Grant Number 2016CSY029), http://newyjs.snnu.edu.cn/info/1044/5552.htm; and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (Grant Number 2017CSY054 to YS), http://newyjs.snnu.edu.cn/info/1044/5552.htm. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.