Early life trajectories of head circumference predict executive function and fluid cognitive skills at age 4 in Kenya

Head circumference (HC) is a low-cost proxy for early brain development, yet few studies have examined its predictive value for specific neurocognitive outcomes in low- and middle-income countries. This study investigated whether trajectories of HC growth from 1 to 24 months predict executive function and fluid cognitive skills at age 4 in a Kenyan cohort (<i>N</i> = 182). Using latent growth curve modeling, we found that greater HC growth was significantly associated with better EF and fluid cognitive skills, independent of initial HC and sociodemographic factors. These associations were robust across subgroups defined by prenatal exposure to HIV and atypical physical growth (i.e., extreme values for weight-for-length, underweight, or HC). Moreover, the predictive association between early HC and later neurocognition was evident within the first 15 months of life. This study highlights the value of monitoring changes in HC as one aspect of early child health and wellbeing. Infants who do not exhibit normative increases in HC in infancy may benefit from early neurocognitive assessments and/or the receipt of early intervention services.

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Publication Details

Journal
Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease
Published
2025-01-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1017/s2040174425100275
Primary Topic
Infant Development and Preterm Care
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Early life trajectories of head circumference predict executive function and fluid cognitive skills at age 4 in Kenya

Dalton C. Wamalwa, Brent R. Collett, Ednah Ojee, Cheryl L. Day et al.
Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease
Infant Development and Preterm Care
article

Early life trajectories of head circumference predict executive function and fluid cognitive skills at age 4 in Kenya

Dalton C. Wamalwa, Brent R. Collett, Ednah Ojee, Cheryl L. Day, Soren M. Gantt, Sarah Benki‐Nugent, Jennifer Slyker, John Kinuthia, Emily R. Begnel, Judith Adhiambo, Michael T. Willoughby, Amanda Wylie, Rachel Kamau, Eliza Mabele, Hemstone Mugala
article en

Abstract

Head circumference (HC) is a low-cost proxy for early brain development, yet few studies have examined its predictive value for specific neurocognitive outcomes in low- and middle-income countries. This study investigated whether trajectories of HC growth from 1 to 24 months predict executive function and fluid cognitive skills at age 4 in a Kenyan cohort (<i>N</i> = 182). Using latent growth curve modeling, we found that greater HC growth was significantly associated with better EF and fluid cognitive skills, independent of initial HC and sociodemographic factors. These associations were robust across subgroups defined by prenatal exposure to HIV and atypical physical growth (i.e., extreme values for weight-for-length, underweight, or HC). Moreover, the predictive association between early HC and later neurocognition was evident within the first 15 months of life. This study highlights the value of monitoring changes in HC as one aspect of early child health and wellbeing. Infants who do not exhibit normative increases in HC in infancy may benefit from early neurocognitive assessments and/or the receipt of early intervention services.

Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and DiseaseVol. 16
University of Nairobi (KE), Seattle Children's Hospital (US), Emory University (US), RTI International (US), University of Washington (US), Kenyatta National Hospital (KE), Behavioral Tech Research, Inc. (US)
University of Washington, Center for AIDS Research, University of Washington, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Openalex Percentile: Top 49%
Infant Development and Preterm Care
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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