Dataset Information

Preeclampsia and academic performance in children: A nationwide study from Iceland.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hypertensive disorders complicate up to 10% of pregnancies. Evidence suggests a potential association between maternal hypertensive disorders during pregnancy, particularly preeclampsia, and adverse neurodevelopment in the offspring, but existing studies are subject to limitations. We aimed to assess whether in-utero exposure to preeclampsia/eclampsia negatively impacts academic performance at ages 9, 12 and 15 years.

Methods

Using individually linked, nationwide data from the Icelandic registries we followed all children born in 1989-2004 (N = 68,580), from birth until the end of 2014, thereof 63,014 (91.9%) took at least one standardized test. Using a stepwise, mixed-effects approach, we modelled the hypothesized relationship while adjusting for maternal, perinatal and childhood variables of interest. We compared test scores, measured on a normalized scale ranging from 0-60 with a mean of 30 and a standard deviation of 10, in the 4th, 7th, and 10th grades, between children exposed to preeclampsia or eclampsia in-utero versus children from normotensive pregnancies in the population.

Results

Children exposed to preeclampsia/eclampsia scored lower than those unexposed in mathematics across all grade levels, corresponding to a difference of 0.44 points (95% CI: 0.00, 0.89), 0.59 points (95% CI: 0.13, 1.06) and 0.59 points (95% CI: 0.08, 1.10), respectively. No differences were observed in the language arts.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest a minimal effect of maternal preeclampsia/eclampsia on children's academic performance at ages 9, 12 and 15 years. The differences observed in mathematic scores between exposed and unexposed children were minimal, less than one tenth of a standard deviation per measurement occasion.

SUBMITTER: Sverrisson FA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6249018 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Preeclampsia and academic performance in children: A nationwide study from Iceland.

Sverrisson Fridgeir A FA Bateman Brian T BT Aspelund Thor T Skulason Sigurgrimur S Zoega Helga H

PloS one 20181121 11

<h4>Background</h4>Hypertensive disorders complicate up to 10% of pregnancies. Evidence suggests a potential association between maternal hypertensive disorders during pregnancy, particularly preeclampsia, and adverse neurodevelopment in the offspring, but existing studies are subject to limitations. We aimed to assess whether in-utero exposure to preeclampsia/eclampsia negatively impacts academic performance at ages 9, 12 and 15 years.<h4>Methods</h4>Using individually linked, nationwide data f ...[more]

PMID: 30462738

Similar Datasets

Project description:Background & aimsThe incidence of cirrhosis in Iceland has been the lowest in the world with only 3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Alcohol consumption has almost doubled in Iceland from 1980 to 2016. Obesity has also risen and hepatitis C virus has spread among people who inject drugs in Iceland. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of these risk factors on the incidence and aetiology of cirrhosis in Iceland.MethodsThe study included all patients diagnosed with cirrhosis for the first time during 2010-2015. Diagnosis was based on liver histology or 2 of 4 criteria: cirrhosis on imaging, ascites, varices, and/or elevated INR.ResultsOverall, 157 patients were diagnosed, 105 (67%) males, mean age 61 years. The overall incidence was 9.7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants annually. Alcohol was the only underlying cause in 48/157 (31%), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in 34/157(22%), and alcohol and hepatitis C together in 23/157(15%) were the most common causes. Only 6% of patients had an unknown cause of cirrhosis. Upon diagnosis, the median model for end-stage liver disease score was 11 (IQR 8-15), 53% were of Child-Pugh class A whereas 61 (39%) had ascites, 11% encephalopathy, and 8% variceal bleeding. In all, 25% of deaths were from HCC and 25% from liver failure.ConclusionA major increase in incidence of cirrhosis has occurred in Iceland associated with increases in alcohol consumption, obesity, and hepatitis C. In a high proportion NAFLD was the aetiology and very few had unknown cause of cirrhosis. The highest death rate was from HCC.Lay summaryIn a nationwide population-based study from Iceland, including all patients diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver over a period of 5 years, we found the incidence of new cases had increased 3-fold compared with a previous study 20 years ago. The increase is attributable to increased alcohol consumption, an epidemic of diabetes and obesity, and infection with the hepatitis C virus. Furthermore, we found that with thorough investigations, a specific cause for cirrhosis could be found in 94% of patients. Patients with cirrhosis frequently die of liver cancer and other complications related to their liver disease.

Project description:IntroductionPrevious evidence has been conflicting regarding the effect of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic lockdowns on obstetric intervention and preterm birth rates. The literature to date suggests potentially differential underlying mechanisms based on country economic setting. We aimed to study these outcomes in an Icelandic population where uniform lockdown measures were implemented across the country.Material and methodsThe study included all singleton births (n = 20 680) during 2016-2020 identified from the population-based Icelandic Medical Birth Register. We defined two lockdown periods during March-May and October-December in 2020 according to government implemented nationwide lockdown. We compared monthly rates of cesarean section, induction of labor and preterm birth during lockdown with the same time periods in the 4 previous years (2016-2019) using logit binomial regression adjusted for confounders.ResultsOur results indicated a reduction in the overall cesarean section rate, which was mainly evident for elective cesarean section, both during the first (adjusted odd ratio [aOR] 0.71, 95% CI 0.51-0.99) and second (aOR 0.72, 95% CI 0.52-0.99) lockdown periods, and not for emergency cesarean section. No change during lockdown was observed in induction of labor. Our results also suggested a reduction in the overall preterm birth rate during the first lockdown (aOR 0.69, 95% CI 0.49-0.97) and in the months immediately following the lockdown (June-September) (aOR 0.67, 95% CI 0.49-0.89). The reduction during the first lockdown was mainly evident for medically indicated preterm birth (although not statistically significant) and the reduction during June-September was mainly evident for spontaneous preterm birth.ConclusionsThis study suggested a reduction in elective cesarean section during COVID-19 lockdown, possibly reflecting changes in prioritization of non-urgent health care during lockdown. We also found a reduction in overall preterm birth during the first lockdown and spontaneous preterm birth following the first lockdown, but further research is needed to shed light on the underlying mechanisms for these findings.

Project description:ObjectivesAll SARS-CoV-2-positive persons in Iceland were prospectively monitored and those who required outpatient evaluation or were admitted to hospital underwent protocolized evaluation that included a standardized panel of biomarkers. The aim was to describe longitudinal changes in inflammatory biomarkers throughout the infection period of patients with COVID-19 requiring different levels of care.DesignRegistry-based study.SettingNationwide study in Iceland.PatientsAll individuals who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from February 28 to December 31, 2020 in Iceland and had undergone blood tests between 5 days before and 21 days following onset of symptoms.Measurements and main resultsData were collected from the electronic medical record system of Landspitali-The National University Hospital of Iceland. Data analyses were descriptive and the evolution of biomarkers was visualized using locally weighted scatterplot smoothing curves stratified by the worst clinical outcome experienced by the patient: outpatient evaluation only, hospitalization, and either intensive care unit (ICU) admission or death. Of 571 included patients, 310 (54.3%) only required outpatient evaluation or treatment, 202 (35.4%) were hospitalized, and 59 (10.3%) were either admitted to the ICU or died. An early and persistent separation of the mean lymphocyte count and plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) and ferritin levels was observed between the three outcome groups, which occurred prior to hospitalization for those who later were admitted to ICU or died. Lower lymphocyte count, and higher CRP and ferritin levels correlated with worse clinical outcomes. Patients who were either admitted to the ICU or died had sustained higher white blood cell and neutrophil counts, and elevated plasma levels of procalcitonin and D-dimer compared with the other groups.ConclusionsLymphocyte count and plasma CRP and ferritin levels might be suitable parameters to assess disease severity early during COVID-19 and may serve as predictors of worse outcome.

Project description:Although there is a growing consensus about the positive relationship between prevention of overweight/obesity and academic performance in children, relevant studies targeting the relationship between underweight and academic performance are scarce. This study aimed to examine the longitudinal relationship of favorable weight change to academic performance in schoolchildren. We analyzed 2-year longitudinal data derived from 197 seventh-grade children aged 12-13 years. Academic performance was assessed using the total grade points of five academic subjects. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as body weight (kg)/height (m2). A significant interaction effect of baseline BMI and BMI changes over 2 years (B = -0.10, SE B = 0.03, β = -0.40, t = -3.37, p < 0.001) was noted after controlling for confounders such as socioeconomic status, afterschool learning duration, screen time, exercise habits, and cardiorespiratory fitness. When the centered baseline BMI was outside the interval [-2.49, 3.21], the slope of the change in BMI was significant (p < 0.05). Simple slope analyses revealed a positive relationship of weight gain when baseline BMI = mean - 1 SD (B = 0.40, SE B = 0.18, β = 0.31, t = 2.20, p = 0.03) and weight loss when baseline BMI = mean + 1 SD (B = -0.26, SE B = 0.13, β = -0.20, t = -1.97, p = 0.05) to total grade points of five school subjects. A split-group validation was performed and robust results of original analyses were detected (i.e., significant interaction effect of baseline BMI and BMI changes over 2 years (group A: B = -0.11, SE B = 0.05, β = -0.47, t = -2.39, p = 0.02; group B: B = -0.14, SE B = 0.05, β = -0.47, t = -2.78, p = 0.007). Favorable changes in weight status, i.e., weight loss in children with overweight/obesity and weight gain in children with mild underweight/underweight, have a positive influence on academic performance in children independent of socioeconomic factors, learning habits, screen time, exercise habits, and cardiorespiratory fitness.

Dataset Information

Preeclampsia and academic performance in children: A nationwide study from Iceland.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Preeclampsia and academic performance in children: A nationwide study from Iceland.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets