Association of gestational weight gain rate in pregnant women with children's cognitive and behavioral development: A birth cohort study

Abstract

Background: The evidences on the relationship between gestational weight gain rate (GWGR) and children's cognitive and behavioral development have been limited.

Methods: A total of 3273 singleton live birth mother-child pairs from the Ma'anshan Birth Cohort in China were included in the study. Maternal GWGR was calculated based on the weights measured at multiple antenatal checkups. Children's cognitive and behavioral development were assessed by Chinese version of Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Fourth Edition and Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist 1.5-5. Then generalized linear models were performed for analyses.

Results: In the field of children's cognitive development, excessive GWGR in the second trimester was associated with increased visual space index (VSI), fluid reasoning index (FRI) and full scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ) scores, while excessive GWGR in the third trimester was associated with decreased VSI, working memory index (WMI) and FSIQ scores. In the field of children's behavioral development, excessive GWGR in the second trimester was associated with decreased aggressive behaviors and externalizing problems scores.

Limitations: Children's behavioral development was assessed by main caregivers and might cause a certain degree of bias. There might be other potential confounders that we did not take into account.

Conclusions: A high GWGR in the second trimester might be beneficial for children's cognitive and behavioral development, while a high GWGR in the third trimester might be harmful.

Keywords: Behavioral development; Children; Cognitive development; Cohort study; Gestational weight gain rate.