1. Yvonne Kelly Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, UCL
The Health of Children
Yvonne Kelly
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, UCL

2. Topics covered
General health, longstanding and acute illness, respiratory symptoms, accidents, prescribed drugs, psychological well-being
Diet, physical activity, smoking, alcohol
Anthropometry, lung function, blood pressure, cotinine

3. Birthweight and health
Reduced birth weight and health in childhood
Psychological aspects of health – cognitive function, academic success and behaviour
Highly selected groups of low weight babies
Specific relationship between birth outcome and behaviour unclear

4. Hypotheses under test
Birthweight and social factors exert independent effects on childhood behavioural outcomes.
The ‘birthweight effect’ is potentially modifiable.

6. Mother’s current smoking status
Maternal GHQ 12 score
Social class
Family structure
Maternal age
Smokers in household

11. Adjusted OR and 95% CI for the effect of birthweight & social factors on total difficulties (n=5181)

12. Adjusted OR and 95% CI for the effect of birthweight & social factors on hyperactivity (n=5181)

13. Adjusted OR and 95% CI for the effect of birthweight & social factors on peer (n=5181)

14. Adjusted OR and 95% CI for the effect of birthweight & social factors on conduct problems (n=5181)

15. Prevalence of ‘high’ total difficulties score by birthweight tertile and social class

16. Prevalence of hyperactivity by birthweight tertile and social class

17. Prevalence of peer relationship problems by birthweight tertile and social class

18. Conclusions
Birthweight and social factors have important influences on behaviour in children
The ‘birthweight effect’ is influenced by social environment - advantaged background might protect against problems whilst disadvantaged increases the risk of problems regardless of birthweight