title: Child patterns of growth delay and cognitive development in a Bolivian mining city.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to (1) follow up and characterize infant growth patterns during the first year of life in Bolivia, and (2) determine whether there exists an association between weight gain and cognitive development in children living near contaminated mining industries.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data on 175 children participating to the ToxBol (Toxicity in Bolivia) birth cohort were analyzed. Rapid-growth during the first 6 months was defined as a change in weight z-score > 0.67 while slow-growth was defined as a weight z-score change of < -0.67. Neurodevelopment was evaluated using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development at 10.5-12.5 months of age. Mixed models were used to examine the association between cognitive development and weight gain.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Rapid growers weighed less at birth (P < 0.01). However, they revealed a higher body mass index at 12 months of age (0.70 ± 0.73, P < 0.01). After adjustment for confounding, rapid growth was not associated with cognitive development (coef = 0.49, 95% confidence interval = -4.10, 5.08).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this Bolivian cohort, children born smaller were more likely to grow/develop faster and attain greater weight and length. Their cognitive development was not affected by their growth patterns.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Dr. Aiguader, 88 08003 Barcelona, Spain. m.ruizcastell@gmail.com
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ruiz-Castell
authors.forename: Anne-Elie
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Carsin
authors.forename: Flavia-Laura
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Barbieri
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Paco
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gardon
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sunyer
mesh_terms: D001724:Birth Weight; D001827:Body Height; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D001838:Bolivia; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008906:Mining; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D047929:Term Birth; D015430:Weight Gain