The course of children's mental health symptoms during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic is associated with increases in child mental health problems, but the persistence of these changes in the post-pandemic era remains uncertain. Additionally, it is unclear whether changes in mental health problems during the pandemic exceed the anticipated increases as children age. This study controls for the linear effect of age in 1399 children, investigating the course of child-reported anxiety, depression, hyperactivity, and inattention symptoms during and after the pandemic, and identifies risk and protective factors that predict these mental health trajectories. METHODS: Children (51% male; ages 9-11 at the first timepoint) provided mental health ratings at three pandemic timepoints (July-August 2020; March-April 2021; November 2021-January 2022) and one post-pandemic timepoint (January-July 2023). Mothers reported pre-pandemic mental health (2017-2019) and socio-demographic factors. Children reported socio-demographic factors, risk (e.g. screen time, sleep), and resilience (e.g. optimism) factors during the first timepoint. RESULTS: Average mental health symptoms increased over time, with more children exceeding clinical cut-offs for poor mental health at each subsequent pandemic timepoint. Growth curve modeling, adjusting for age-related effects, revealed a curvilinear course of mental health symptoms across all domains. Examination of risk and protective factors revealed that pre-existing mental health symptoms and optimism were associated with the course of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: After considering age effects, children's mental health follows a curvilinear pattern over time, suggesting an initial decline followed by a rising trend in symptoms post-COVID. These findings underscore the continued need for additional resources and timely, evidence-based mental health prevention and intervention for children.

Stress and anxiety during pregnancy and length of gestation: a federated study using data from five Canadian and European birth cohorts.

While its etiology is not fully elucidated, preterm birth represents a major public health concern as it is the leading cause of child mortality and morbidity. Stress is one of the most common perinatal conditions and may increase the risk of preterm birth. In this paper we aimed to investigate the association of maternal perceived stress and anxiety with length of gestation. We used harmonized data from five birth cohorts from Canada, France, and Norway. A total of 5297 pregnancies of singletons were included in the analysis of perceived stress and gestational duration, and 55,775 pregnancies for anxiety. Federated analyses were performed through the DataSHIELD platform using Cox regression models within intervals of gestational age. The models were fit for each cohort separately, and the cohort-specific results were combined using random effects study-level meta-analysis. Moderate and high levels of perceived stress during pregnancy were associated with a shorter length of gestation in the very/moderately preterm interval [moderate: hazard ratio (HR) 1.92 (95%CI 0.83, 4.48); high: 2.04 (95%CI 0.77, 5.37)], albeit not statistically significant. No association was found for the other intervals. Anxiety was associated with gestational duration in the very/moderately preterm interval [1.66 (95%CI 1.32, 2.08)], and in the early term interval [1.15 (95%CI 1.08, 1.23)]. Our findings suggest that perceived stress and anxiety are associated with an increased risk of earlier birth, but only in the earliest gestational ages. We also found an association in the early term period for anxiety, but the result was only driven by the largest cohort, which collected information the latest in pregnancy. This raised a potential issue of reverse causality as anxiety later in pregnancy could be due to concerns about early signs of a possible preterm birth.

Early childhood risk factors for later onset of pediatric chronic pain: a multi-method longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric chronic pain (i.e., pain lasting ≥ 3 months) is prevalent, disabling, and costly. It spikes in adolescence, interrupts psychosocial development and functioning, and often co-occurs with mental health problems. Chronic pain often begins spontaneously without prior injuries and/or other disorders. Prospective longitudinal cohort studies following children from early childhood, prior to chronic pain onset, are needed to examine contributing factors, such as early pain experiences and mental health. Using data from a longitudinal community pregnancy cohort (All Our Families; AOF), the present study examined the associations between early developmental risk factors, including early childhood pain experiences and mental health symptoms, and the onset of pediatric chronic pain at ages 8 and 11 years. METHODS: Available longitudinal AOF data from child age 4 months, as well as 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, and 11 years, were used. Mothers reported their child's pain experiences (e.g., hospitalizations, vaccinations, gut problems) at each timepoint from 4 months to 8 years, child chronic pain at age 8, and child mental health symptoms at ages 5 and 8 years. Children reported their chronic pain frequency and interference at age 11. Adaptive least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regressions were used to select predictor variables. Complete case analyses were complemented by multiple imputation using chained equation (MICE) models. RESULTS: Gut problems, emergency room visits, frequent pain complaints, and headaches at age 5 or earlier, as well as female sex, were associated with increased risk of maternal reported child chronic pain at age 8. Maternal reported chronic pain at age 8 was associated with higher levels of child-reported pain frequency and pain interferences at age 11. Boys self-reported lower levels of pain interference at age 11. CONCLUSIONS: Some, but not all, painful experiences (e.g., gut problems, ER visits, pain complaints) in early life contribute to pediatric chronic pain onset and should be considered for screening and early intervention.

Race as a determinant of prenatal depressive symptoms: analysis of data from the 'All Our Families' study.

OBJECTIVES: Prenatal depression is a serious maternal-child health concern. Risk factors and health consequences appear more prevalent in Indigenous communities and ethnic minority groups; however, research on these populations is limited. We examined the following questions: (A) How do pregnant Indigenous women, ethnic minority women, and White women compare on levels of depressive symptoms and possible clinical depression, and on major risk and protective factors? (B) Is non-dominant (non-White) race associated with higher depressive symptoms and possible clinical depression? (C) What factors mediate and moderate the relationship between race and depression? DESIGN: Data were from the All Our Families study (n = 3354 pregnant women from Alberta, Canada). Depressive symptoms were measured with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Descriptive statistics and multivariable regression methods were used to assess the hypotheses that Indigenous and ethnic minority women would have significantly higher mean EPDS score estimates and higher proportions scoring above cut-offs for possible clinical depression, relative to White women. The association between race and depressive symptoms was hypothesised to be partially mediated by risk factors of socioeconomics, health background, discrimination, domestic violence, and psychosocial stress. Potential confounders were age, marital status, and parity. Diet and social support were hypothesised as protective buffers between stress and depressive symptoms. RESULTS: A higher proportion of White women were married, had family income over $80,000, were employed, and had adequate social support, relative to other women. They had significantly lower mean depressive symptom score, and a smaller proportion scored above cut-offs for possible clinical depression. The positive association between race and depressive symptoms appeared to be partially mediated by socioeconomic factors and psychosocial stress. Social support appeared to moderate the association between stress and depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Strategies to address socioeconomic status, stress, and social support among racialized minority women may reduce the risk for prenatal depression.

Gestational age at birth and body size from infancy through adolescence: An individual participant data meta-analysis on 253,810 singletons in 16 birth cohort studies.

BACKGROUND: Preterm birth is the leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality and is associated with adverse developmental and long-term health outcomes, including several cardiometabolic risk factors and outcomes. However, evidence about the association of preterm birth with later body size derives mainly from studies using birth weight as a proxy of prematurity rather than an actual length of gestation. We investigated the association of gestational age (GA) at birth with body size from infancy through adolescence. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We conducted a two-stage individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis using data from 253,810 mother-child dyads from 16 general population-based cohort studies in Europe (Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands, United Kingdom), North America (Canada), and Australasia (Australia) to estimate the association of GA with body mass index (BMI) and overweight (including obesity) adjusted for the following maternal characteristics as potential confounders: education, height, prepregnancy BMI, ethnic background, parity, smoking during pregnancy, age at child's birth, gestational diabetes and hypertension, and preeclampsia. Pregnancy and birth cohort studies from the LifeCycle and the EUCAN-Connect projects were invited and were eligible for inclusion if they had information on GA and minimum one measurement of BMI between infancy and adolescence. Using a federated analytical tool (DataSHIELD), we fitted linear and logistic regression models in each cohort separately with a complete-case approach and combined the regression estimates and standard errors through random-effects study-level meta-analysis providing an overall effect estimate at early infancy (>0.0 to 0.5 years), late infancy (>0.5 to 2.0 years), early childhood (>2.0 to 5.0 years), mid-childhood (>5.0 to 9.0 years), late childhood (>9.0 to 14.0 years), and adolescence (>14.0 to 19.0 years). GA was positively associated with BMI in the first decade of life, with the greatest increase in mean BMI z-score during early infancy (0.02, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.00; 0.05, p < 0.05) per week of increase in GA, while in adolescence, preterm individuals reached similar levels of BMI (0.00, 95% CI: -0.01; 0.01, p 0.9) as term counterparts. The association between GA and overweight revealed a similar pattern of association with an increase in odds ratio (OR) of overweight from late infancy through mid-childhood (OR 1.01 to 1.02) per week increase in GA. By adolescence, however, GA was slightly negatively associated with the risk of overweight (OR 0.98 [95% CI: 0.97; 1.00], p 0.1) per week of increase in GA. Although based on only four cohorts (n = 32,089) that reached the age of adolescence, data suggest that individuals born very preterm may be at increased odds of overweight (OR 1.46 [95% CI: 1.03; 2.08], p < 0.05) compared with term counterparts. Findings were consistent across cohorts and sensitivity analyses despite considerable heterogeneity in cohort characteristics. However, residual confounding may be a limitation in this study, while findings may be less generalisable to settings in low- and middle-income countries. CONCLUSIONS: This study based on data from infancy through adolescence from 16 cohort studies found that GA may be important for body size in infancy, but the strength of association attenuates consistently with age. By adolescence, preterm individuals have on average a similar mean BMI to peers born at term.

Correction: Gestational age at birth and body size from infancy through adolescence: An individual participant data meta-analysis on 253,810 singletons in 16 birth cohort studies.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004036.].

Developing non-response weights to account for attrition-related bias in a longitudinal pregnancy cohort.

BACKGROUND: Prospective cohorts may be vulnerable to bias due to attrition. Inverse probability weights have been proposed as a method to help mitigate this bias. The current study used the "All Our Families" longitudinal pregnancy cohort of 3351 maternal-infant pairs and aimed to develop inverse probability weights using logistic regression models to predict study continuation versus drop-out from baseline to the three-year data collection wave. METHODS: Two methods of variable selection took place. One method was a knowledge-based a priori variable selection approach, while the second used Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO). The ability of each model to predict continuing participation through discrimination and calibration for both approaches were evaluated by examining area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC) and calibration plots, respectively. Stabilized inverse probability weights were generated using predicted probabilities. Weight performance was assessed using standardized differences of baseline characteristics for those who continue in study and those that do not, with and without weights (unadjusted estimates). RESULTS: The a priori and LASSO variable selection method prediction models had good and fair discrimination with AUROC of 0.69 (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.67-0.71) and 0.73 (95% CI: 0.71-0.75), respectively. Calibration plots and non-significant Hosmer-Lemeshow Goodness of Fit Tests indicated that both the a priori (p = 0.329) and LASSO model (p = 0.242) were well-calibrated. Unweighted results indicated large (> 10%) standardized differences in 15 demographic variables (range: 11 - 29%), when comparing those who continued in the study with those that did not. Weights derived from the a priori and LASSO models reduced standardized differences relative to unadjusted estimates, with the largest differences of 13% and 5%, respectively. Additionally, when applying the same LASSO variable selection method to develop weights in future data collection waves, standardized differences remained below 10% for each demographic variable. CONCLUSION: The LASSO variable selection approach produced robust weights that addressed non-response bias more than the knowledge-driven approach. These weights can be applied to analyses across multiple longitudinal waves of data collection to reduce bias.

The association of gestational age at birth with trajectories of early childhood developmental delay among late preterm and early term born children: A longitudinal analysis of All Our Families pregnancy cohort.

BACKGROUND: Like infants born very preterm (<32 weeks), late preterm (≥34 and <37 weeks) and early term (≥37 and <39 weeks) births have been associated with increased risk of developmental delay (DD); yet, the evidence remains heterogeneous across the continuum of gestational ages, hindering early identification and intervention. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the association of gestational age at birth with early childhood trajectories of DD in early childhood for infants born ≥34 and <41 weeks, and determine how various maternal, pregnancy and infant characteristics relate to these trajectory groups. METHODS: Analysis of mother-child dyad data with infants born ≥34 and <41 weeks gestational age within an observational pregnancy cohort in Alberta, Canada, from 2008 to 2011 (n = 2644). The association between gestational age and trajectories of the total number of Ages and Stages Questionnaire domains indicating risk of DD from 1 through 5 years of age were estimated using group-based trajectory modelling along with other perinatal risk factors. RESULTS: Three distinct trajectory groups were identified: low-risk, moderate-risk (transiently at risk of DD in one domain over time) and high-risk (consistently at risk of delay in ≥2 domains over time). Per week of decreasing gestational age, the risk ratio of membership in the high-risk group increases by 1.77 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.43, 2.20) or 1.84 (95% CI 1.49, 2.27) relative to the moderate-risk and low-risk respectively. Increasing maternal age, identifying as Black, indigenous or a person of colour, elevated maternal depressive symptoms in pregnancy, and male infant sex were associated with high- and moderate-risk trajectories compared to the low-risk trajectory. CONCLUSIONS: In combination with decreasing gestational age, poor maternal mental health and social determinants of health increase the probability of membership in trajectories with increased risk of DD, suggesting that additional monitoring of children born late preterm and early term is warranted.

Small for gestational age preterm infants and later adiposity and height: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Overweight and obesity and their consequent morbidities are important worldwide health problems. Some research suggests excess adiposity origins may begin in fetal life, but unknown is whether this applies to infants born preterm. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to assess the association between small for gestational age (SGA) birth and later adiposity and height among those born preterm. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL until October 2022. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: Studies were included if they reported anthropometric (adiposity measures and height) outcomes for participants born preterm with SGA versus non-SGA. Screening, data extraction and risks of bias assessments were conducted in duplicate by two reviewers. SYNTHESIS: We meta-analysed across studies using random-effects models and explored potential heterogeneity sources. RESULTS: Thirty-nine studies met the inclusion criteria. In later life, preterm SGA infants had a lower body mass index (-0.66 kg/m2 , 95% CI -0.79, -0.53; 32 studies, I2 = 16.7, n = 30,346), waist circumference (-1.20 cm, 95% CI -2.17, -0.23; 13 studies, I2 = 19.4, n = 2061), lean mass (-2.62 kg, 95% CI -3.45, 1.80; 7 studies, I2 = 0, n = 205) and height (-3.85 cm, 95% CI -4.73, -2.96; 26 studies, I2 = 52.6, n = 4174) compared with those preterm infants born non-SGA. There were no differences between preterm SGA and preterm non-SGA groups in waist/hip ratio, body fat, body fat per cent, truncal fat per cent, fat mass index or lean mass index, although power was limited for some analyses. Studies were rated at high risk of bias due to potential residual confounding and low risk of bias in other domains. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to their preterm non-SGA peers, preterm infants born SGA have lower BMI, waist circumference, lean body mass and height in later life. No differences in adiposity were observed between SGA preterm infants and non-SGA preterm infants.

Small for date preterm infants and risk of higher blood pressure in later life: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Historical reports suggest that infants born small for gestational age (SGA) are at increased risk for high blood pressure (BP) at older ages after adjustment for later age body size. Such adjustment may be inappropriate since adiposity is a known cause of cardiovascular and metabolic disease. OBJECTIVES: To assess the association between SGA births and later BP among preterm births, considering potential background confounders and over-adjustment for later body size. METHODS: A database search of studies up to October 2022 included MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL. Studies were included if they reported BP (systolic [SBP] or diastolic [DBP]) (outcomes) for participants born preterm with SGA (exposure) or non-SGA births. All screening, extraction steps, and risk of bias (using the Risk of Bias In Non-randomised Studies of Interventions [ROBINS-I] tool) were conducted in duplicate by two reviewers. Data were pooled in meta-analysis using random-effects models. We explored potential sources of heterogeneity. RESULTS: We found no meaningful difference in later BP between preterm infants with and without SGA status at birth. Meta-analysis of 25 studies showed that preterm SGA, compared to preterm non-SGA, was not associated with higher BP at age 2 and older with mean differences for SBP 0.01 mmHg (95% CI -0.10, 0.12, I2  = 59.8%, n = 20,462) and DBP 0.01 mm Hg (95% CI -0.10, 0.12), 22 studies, (I2  = 53.0%, n = 20,182). Adjustment for current weight did not alter the results, which could be due to the lack of differences in later weight status in most of the included studies. The included studies were rated to be at risk of bias due to potential residual confounding, with a low risk of bias in other domains. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence indicates that preterm infants born SGA are not at increased risk of developing higher BP as children or as adults as compared to non-SGA preterm infants.

Association of postpartum medication practices with early breastfeeding cessation among mothers with chronic conditions: A prospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Use of medications is a common concern for breastfeeding women, particularly when they are strongly needed or unavoidable to manage maternal chronic conditions. Yet the influence of medication usage patterns on breastfeeding duration in mothers with chronic conditions is unclear. The objective of this study was to examine whether postpartum medication practices were associated with shorter breastfeeding duration or earlier than planned breastfeeding cessation among mothers with chronic conditions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed 346 mothers with chronic conditions enrolled in a prospective, community-based pregnancy cohort study (Alberta, Canada) who initiated breastfeeding after birth. Data were collected through self-report questionnaires spanning late pregnancy to 6 months postpartum. Based on reported use of preexisting medications while breastfeeding, women were classified as continuing medications (reference group), discontinuing one or more medications, or those who did not use preexisting medications. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to analyze the association of medication practices and overall breastfeeding duration in weeks. Logistic regression was used to analyze the association of medication practices and earlier than planned breastfeeding cessation. Multivariable models adjusted for demographic and health-related factors. RESULTS: Overall, 30.6% of women with chronic conditions stopped breastfeeding in the first 6 months, almost all of whom did so earlier than planned. In multivariable models, medication discontinuation was significantly associated with shorter breastfeeding duration (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-2.70) and earlier than planned breastfeeding cessation (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.85, 95% CI 1.01-3.42), whereas medication non-use was not associated with differences in breastfeeding outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Women with chronic conditions who discontinued preexisting medications while breastfeeding had significantly shorter breastfeeding duration and were less likely to meet their breastfeeding goals in the first 6 months postpartum compared to women who continued preexisting medications.

Breastfeeding difficulties in the first 6 weeks postpartum among mothers with chronic conditions: a latent class analysis.

BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding difficulties frequently exacerbate one another and are common reasons for curtailed breastfeeding. Women with chronic conditions are at high risk of early breastfeeding cessation, yet limited evidence exists on the breastfeeding difficulties that co-occur in these mothers. The objective of this study was to explore clusters of breastfeeding difficulties experienced up to 6 weeks postpartum among mothers with chronic conditions and to examine associations between chronic condition types and breastfeeding difficulty clusters. METHODS: We analyzed 348 mothers with chronic conditions enrolled in a prospective, community-based pregnancy cohort study from Alberta, Canada. Data were collected through self-report questionnaires. We used latent class analysis to identify clusters of early breastfeeding difficulties and multinomial logistic regression to examine whether types of chronic conditions were associated with these clusters, adjusting for maternal and obstetric factors. RESULTS: We identified three clusters of breastfeeding difficulties. The "physiologically expected" cluster (51.1% of women) was characterized by leaking breasts and engorgement (reference outcome group); the "low milk production" cluster (15.4%) was discerned by low milk supply and infant weight concerns; and the "ineffective latch" cluster (33.5%) involved latch problems, sore nipples, and difficulty with positioning. Endocrine (adjusted relative risk ratio [RRR] 2.34, 95% CI 1.10-5.00), cardiovascular (adjusted RRR 2.75, 95% CI 1.01-7.81), and gastrointestinal (adjusted RRR 2.51, 95% CI 1.11-5.69) conditions were associated with the low milk production cluster, and gastrointestinal (adjusted RRR 2.44, 95% CI 1.25-4.77) conditions were additionally associated with the ineffective latch cluster. CONCLUSION: Half of women with chronic conditions experienced clusters of breastfeeding difficulties corresponding either to low milk production or to ineffective latch in the first 6 weeks postpartum. Associations with chronic condition types suggest that connections between lactation physiology and disease pathophysiology should be considered when providing breastfeeding support.

A harmonized analysis of five Canadian pregnancy cohort studies: exploring the characteristics and pregnancy outcomes associated with prenatal alcohol exposure.

BACKGROUND: As a teratogen, alcohol exposure during pregnancy can impact fetal development and result in adverse birth outcomes. Despite the clinical and social importance of prenatal alcohol use, limited routinely collected information or epidemiological data exists in Canada. The aim of this study was to pool data from multiple Canadian cohort studies to identify sociodemographic characteristics before and during pregnancy that were associated with alcohol consumption during pregnancy and to assess the impact of different patterns of alcohol use on birth outcomes. METHODS: We harmonized information collected (e.g., pregnant women's alcohol intake, infants' gestational age and birth weight) from five Canadian pregnancy cohort studies to consolidate a large sample (n = 11,448). Risk factors for any alcohol use during pregnancy, including any alcohol use prior to pregnancy recognition, and binge drinking, were estimated using binomial regressions including fixed effects of pregnancy cohort membership and multiple maternal risk factors. Impacts of alcohol use during pregnancy on birth outcomes (preterm birth and low birth weight for gestational) were also estimated using binomial regression models. RESULTS: In analyses adjusting for multiple risk factors, women's alcohol use during pregnancy, both any use and any binge drinking, was associated with drinking prior to pregnancy, smoking during pregnancy, and white ethnicity. Higher income level was associated with any drinking during pregnancy. Neither drinking during pregnancy nor binge drinking during pregnancy was significantly associated with preterm delivery or low birth weight for gestational age in our sample. CONCLUSIONS: Pooling data across pregnancy cohort studies allowed us to create a large sample of Canadian women and investigate the risk factors for alcohol consumption during pregnancy. We suggest that future pregnancy and birth cohorts should always include questions related to the frequency and amount of alcohol consumed before and during pregnancy that are prospectively harmonized to support data reusability and collaborative research.

Women's Mental Health up to Eight Years after Childbirth and Associated Risk Factors: Longitudinal Findings from the All Our Families Cohort in Canada.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the prevalence of elevated maternal anxiety and/or depression symptoms up to eight years after childbirth and the association between role and relationship strains during parenting and mental health challenges from three to eight years after childbirth. METHODS: This study used data from the All Our Families longitudinal pregnancy cohort. Role and relationship strain factors and anxiety and depression symptoms were measured at repeated time points from four months to eight years after childbirth. The proportion of women with elevated anxiety and/or depression was calculated at each available time point. Generalized estimating equation models were used to examine the association between role and relationship strain factors and anxiety and/or depression from three to eight years after childbirth. Predicted probability of having anxiety and/or depression was estimated across those with and without challenges with roles and relationships. The models were adjusted for known risk factors such as maternal income and perinatal anxiety and/or depression. RESULTS: The prevalence of elevated anxiety and/or depression ranged from 18.8% (at four months) to 26.2% (at eight years). The adjusted odds ratio of anxiety and/or depression was 3.5 (95% CI = 2.9, 4.3) for those juggling family responsibilities and 2.4 (95% CI = 2.0, 3.0) for those with stressful partner relationship compared to their counterparts. Similarly, experiencing financial crunch and poor partner relationship were associated with increased mental health difficulties. Women without challenges in roles or relationships had a 23% lower predicted probability of anxiety and/or depression than those with the challenges. CONCLUSIONS: Monitoring mothers for anxiety and depression beyond the postpartum period and strategies that address role and relationship challenges may be valuable to women at risk of anxiety and depression.

Changes and predictors of maternal depressive and anxiety symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Longitudinal changes in maternal depressive and anxiety symptoms and predictors of symptom variation among a group of middle-to-upper income Canadian women (n = 2152) were examined prior to the pandemic (2017-2019) and at three pandemic timepoints (May-July 2020, March-April 2021, November-December 2021). Mean maternal depression and anxiety scores were elevated throughout the pandemic. Pre-pandemic depressive symptoms were associated with greater increases in depressive symptoms. Coping and relationship quality were protective factors. Supporting the development of coping strategies may mitigate mental health concerns among mothers.

Association between childhood adversities and premature and potentially avoidable mortality in adulthood: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: The association of childhood adversities with mortality has rarely been explored, and even less studied is the question of whether any excess mortality may be potentially preventable. This study examined the association between specific childhood adversities and premature and potentially avoidable mortality (PPAM) in adulthood in a representative sample of the general population. Also, we examined whether the associations were potentially mediated by various adult socioeconomic, psychosocial, and behavioral factors. METHODS: The study used data from the National Population Health Survey (NPHS-1994) linked to the Canadian Vital Statistics Database (CVSD 1994-2014) available from Statistics Canada. The NPHS interview retrospectively assessed childhood exposure to prolonged hospitalization, parental divorce, prolonged parental unemployment, prolonged trauma, parental problematic substance use, physical abuse, and being sent away from home for doing something wrong. An existing definition of PPAM, consisting of causes of death considered preventable or treatable before age 75, was used. Competing cause survival models were used to examine the associations of specific childhood adversities with PPAM in adulthood among respondents aged 18 to 74 years (rounded n = 11,035). RESULTS: During the 20-year follow-up, 5.4% of the sample died prematurely of a cause that was considered potentially avoidable. Childhood adversities had a differential effect on mortality. Physical abuse (age-adjusted sub-hazard ratio; SHR 1.44; 95% CI 1.03, 2.00) and being sent away from home (age-adjusted SHR 2.26; 95% CI 1.43,3.57) were significantly associated with PPAM. The associations were attenuated when adjusted for adulthood factors, namely smoking, poor perceived health, depression, low perceived social support, and low income, consistent with possible mediating effects. Other adversities under study were not associated with PPAM. CONCLUSION: The findings imply that the psychological sequelae of childhood physical abuse and being sent away from home and subsequent uptake of adverse health behavior may lead to increased risk of potentially avoidable mortality. The potential mediators identified offer directions for future research to perform causal mediation analyses with suitable data and identify interventions aimed at preventing premature mortality due to potentially avoidable causes. Other forms of adversities, mostly related to household dysfunction, may not be determinants of the distal health outcome of mortality.

Child and family factors associated with child mental health and well-being during COVID-19.

Understanding the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the current generation of youth is critical for post-pandemic recovery planning. This study aimed to identify the most salient child (i.e., connectedness to caregivers, screen time, sleep, physical activity, peer relationships, and recreational activities) and family (i.e., COVID-19 financial impact, maternal depression and anxiety) factors associated with children's mental health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic, after controlling for pre-pandemic mental health. This study included 846 mother-child dyads (child age 9-11) from the All Our Families cohort. Mothers reported on the child's pre-pandemic mental health at age 8 (2017-2019) and during COVID-19 (May-July 2020), the family's financial impact due to COVID-19, and maternal depression and anxiety. During COVID-19 (July-August 2020), children reported on their screen time, sleep, physical activity, peer and family relationships, and recreational activities, as well as their happiness, anxiety and depression. After controlling for pre-pandemic anxiety, connectedness to caregivers (B - 0.16; 95% CI - 0.22 to - 0.09), child sleep (B - 0.11; 95% CI - 0.19 to - 0.04), and child screen time (B 0.11; 95% CI 0.04-0.17) predicted child COVID-19 anxiety symptoms. After controlling for pre-pandemic depression, connectedness to caregivers (B - 0.26; 95% CI - 0.32 to - 0.21) and screen time (B 0.09; 95% CI 0.02-0.16) predicted child COVID-19 depressive symptoms. After controlling for covariates, connectedness to caregivers (B 0.36; 95% CI 0.28-0.39) predicted child COVID-19 happiness. Fostering parent-child connections and promoting healthy device and sleep habits are critical modifiable factors that warrant attention in post-pandemic mental health recovery planning.

Screen time and developmental and behavioral outcomes for preschool children.

BACKGROUND: One pressing question in the field of pediatrics is whether a dose-response relation is observed between hours of screen time and child outcomes. This study examined the association between hours of screen time (≤1 vs 2 vs ≥3 h/day) and children's developmental and behavioral outcomes. METHODS: This study included data from 1994 mothers and children in Calgary, Canada, drawn from the All Our Families cohort. At 36 months, children's screen time (h/day), behavior problems, developmental milestones, and vocabulary acquisition were assessed via maternal report. Socio-demographic factors and baseline levels of performance at 24 months were included as covariates. RESULTS: Compared to ≤1 h/day (47%; n = 935), children using screens 2 h (36%; n = 725) or ≥3 h/day (17%; n = 333) had an increased likelihood of reported behavioral problems (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.30-1.90), delayed achievement of developmental milestones (AOR 1.41-1.68), and poorer vocabulary acquisition (AOR 1.94). CONCLUSIONS: At 36 months, an association was observed between screen time and children's developmental, language, and behavioral outcomes, suggesting that duration of screen time is associated with poor child development outcomes. Findings provide support for screen time guidelines and emphasize the need for childcare professionals to discuss screen time guidelines with families. IMPACT: International guidelines recommend that preschoolers spend no more than 1 h/day viewing screens. Research is needed to determine if there is a relation between screen time levels and child developmental and behavioral outcomes. Compared to ≤1 h/day, children viewing screens 2 or ≥3 h/day had an increased likelihood of behavioral problems, delayed achievement of developmental milestones, and poorer vocabulary acquisition. Findings highlight the association between duration of screen time and factors of child development.

Cumulative Social Risk and Child Screen Use: The Role of Child Temperament.

OBJECTIVES: It is critical to understand what children, and in which context, are at risk for high levels of screen use. This study examines whether child temperament interacts with cumulative social risk to predict young children's screen use and if the results are consistent with differential susceptibility or diathesis-stress models. METHODS: Data from 1,992 families in Calgary, Alberta (81% White; 47% female; 94% >$40,000 income) from the All Our Families cohort were included. Mothers reported on cumulative social risk (e.g., low income and education, maternal depression) at <25 weeks of gestation, child's temperament at 36 months of age (surgency/extraversion, negative affectivity, effortful control), and child's screen use (hours/day) at 60 months of age. Along with socio-demographic factors, baseline levels of screen use were included as covariates. RESULTS: Children high in surgency (i.e., high-intensity pleasure, impulsivity) had greater screen use than children low in surgency as social risk exposure increased. In line with differential susceptibility, children high in surgency also had less screen use than children low in surgency in contexts of low social risk. Children with heightened negative affectivity (i.e., frequent expressions of fear/frustration) had greater screen use as social risk increased, supporting a diathesis-stress model. CONCLUSIONS: Young children predisposed to high-intensity pleasure seeking and negative affectivity in environments characterized as high in social risk may be prone to greater durations of screen use. Findings suggest that an understanding of social risks and individual characteristics of the child should be considered when promoting healthy digital health habits.

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and breastfeeding practices: A secondary analysis of data from the All Our Families Cohort.

INTRODUCTION: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy occur in approximately 7%-10% of pregnancies and are associated with adverse maternal cardiovascular health outcomes across the lifespan. In contrast, breastfeeding has been associated with a reduction in cardiovascular risk factors in a dose-dependent manner. Despite the potential protective effects of lactation on cardiovascular risk, how hypertensive disorders of pregnancy relate to breastfeeding practices and experiences is not well understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and breastfeeding outcomes in the first year postpartum. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis of prospective data from the All Our Families Cohort, a population-based study conducted in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Women with a singleton pregnancy (n = 1418) who completed self-report questionnaires at <25 weeks and 34-36 weeks of gestation, and 4 months and 12 months postpartum, and provided consent to link to electronic medical records that identified diagnoses of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (n = 122). Logistic and multiple linear regression analyses were used to model associations between hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and breastfeeding outcomes. Outcomes included breastfeeding intention, intended duration, exclusive breastfeeding at 4 months, breastfeeding duration at 12 months and breastfeeding difficulties. RESULTS: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy were not associated with breastfeeding intention (odds ration [OR] 1.30, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.47-3.03, P = 0.57), intended breastfeeding duration (b = -3.28, 95% CI -7.04 to 0.48, P = 0.09), or initiation (OR = 0.64, 95% CI 0.29- 1.65, P = 0.32), but were associated with an increase in the odds of non-exclusive breastfeeding at 4 months postpartum (OR = 2.11, 95% CI 1.39-3.22, P < 0.001). Women with hypertensive disorders breastfed for 6.26 (95% CI -10.00 to -2.51, P < 0.001) weeks less over 12 months postpartum, had significantly higher odds of reporting insufficient milk supply (OR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.19-2.46, P < 0.05) and had lower odds of breast and/or nipple pain (OR = 0.66, 95% CI 0.44-0.92, P < 0.05) compared with those without hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are associated with altered breastfeeding practices and experiences during the first year postpartum. Further research is needed to examine biopsychosocial mechanisms through which hypertensive disorders associate with shorter breastfeeding duration, and to examine whether greater breastfeeding duration, intensity or exclusivity reduces short- or long-term maternal cardiovascular risk.