Cognitive and health-related outcomes after exposure to early malnutrition: The Leiden longitudinal study of international adoptees

Author(s):
Schoenmaker, C.; Juffer, F. (0000-0002-0246-498X); IJzendoorn, M.H. van; Van den Dries, L.; Linting, M. (0000-0002-6303-3251); Voort, A. van der (0000-0002-9553-793x); Bakermans-Kranenburg, M.J.
Published
2015
Publication type
Article / Letter to editor

Abstract

BackgroundWe followed 190 internationally adopted children from infancy to young adulthood to examine the long-term consequences of early malnutrition on cognitive and health-related outcomes. MethodWe measured birth weight and physical condition in infancy, IQ and somatic problems in middle childhood, adolescence and young adulthood; in young adulthood, socioeconomic success was also assessed. ResultsEarly malnutrition negatively affected IQ in middle childhood and to a lesser extent IQ in young adulthood, but a negative effect on socioeconomic success was absent. Higher levels of early malnutrition predicted more somatic problems in middle childhood. ConclusionsVariation in early malnutrition explains differences in cognitive and health-related outcomes, with early malnutrition predicting lower IQs in middle childhood and in young adulthood. Early malnutrition did however not negatively affect the young adult's socioeconomic success, indicating that early malnutrition may be compensated by later experiences.

Date issued
2015-01-31
Language
English
Is part of
hdl
1887/3196778
doi
10.1016/j.childyouth.2014.12.010