What factors are associated with poor developmental attainment in young Canadian children?
BACKGROUND
This study was undertaken to determine the association between poor developmental attainment (PDA) and biological, home environment and socio-demographic factors in a population-based sample of Canadian children.


METHODS
Cross-sectional data from two cycles (1994/95 and 1996/97) of the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth were used. Children aged 1-5 years were included. PDA was defined as < or = 15th percentile for motor and social developmental skills (1-3 year olds) or Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (4-5 year olds). Multiple logistic regression was used.


RESULTS
The proportion of children with PDA varies across Canada, between males and females, and by age. Among 1 year olds in Cycle I, having a low birthweight (OR=3.3; 95% CI: 2.1-5.2), being male (OR=1.6; 95% CI: 1.2-2.2) and having a mother who is an immigrant (OR=1.6; 95% CI: 1.1-2.2) increased the odds of PDA. Similar results were observed in Cycle II. Among children aged 4-5 years in Cycle II, having a mother who is an immigrant (OR=5.3; 95% CI: 4.1-6.9) and a mother with low educational attainment (OR=2.8; 95% CI: 2.1-3.9) increased the odds of PDA. Low income was a significant predictor of PDA across all age groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The strong and consistent associations with living in a low-income household, having a mother with low educational attainment or a mother who is an immigrant highlight the need for targeting developmental assessments and services to this population.
To
Teresa
T
Population Health Sciences Program, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8. teresa.to@sickkids.ca
Guttmann
Astrid
A
Dick
Paul T
PT
Rosenfield
Jay D
JD
Parkin
Patricia C
PC
Cao
Hongmei
H
Vydykhan
Tatiana N
TN
Tassoudji
Marjan
M
Harris
Jennifer K
JK
D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education; D011203:Poverty; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors