title: What factors are associated with poor developmental attainment in young Canadian children?
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Population Health Sciences Program, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8. teresa.to@sickkids.ca
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: To
authors.forename: Astrid
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Guttmann
authors.forename: Paul T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Dick
authors.forename: Jay D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Rosenfield
authors.forename: Patricia C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Parkin
authors.forename: Hongmei
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Tatiana N
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Vydykhan
authors.forename: Marjan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tassoudji
authors.forename: Jennifer K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Harris
mesh_terms: 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