Long-term Neurodevelopment of Children Exposed to Maternal Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy and Diclectin
Received 20 June 2008; received in revised form 21 January 2009; accepted 4 February 2009. published online 27 April 2009.
Refers to article:
Maternal Corticosteroid Use and Hypospadias
, 27 April 2009
Suzan L. Carmichael, Chen Ma, Martha M. Werler, Richard S. Olney, Gary M. Shaw, National Birth Defects Prevention Study
The Journal of Pediatrics
July 2009 (Vol. 155, Issue 1, Pages 39-44.e1) Abstract |
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Objective
To determine the effects of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) and its treatment with diclectin on child neurodevelopment.
Study design
An observational cohort study of mother-child pairs ascertained via a pregnancy call-in center was conducted. Three groups of children were studied: 45 with NVP and diclectin, 47 with NVP no diclectin, and 29 with no NVP. Phone calls to mothers during pregnancy and 6 to 9 months after childbirth yielded information on pregnancy, birth, and early child development. Children aged 3 to 7 years received a comprehensive set of psychological tests. Mothers were assessed for IQ and socioeconomic status.
Results
All children scored in the normal range for IQ, with the NVP-exposed group scoring higher than the non-exposed group on Performance IQ (P < .02), NEPSY Verbal Fluency (P < .003) and Phonological Processing (P < .004), and McCarthy Numerical Memory (P < .004). Predictors of enhanced results were NVP severity and maternal IQ.
Conclusions
NVP has an enhancing effect on later child outcome. Diclectin does not appear to adversely affect fetal brain development and can be used to control NVP when clinically indicated.
Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Reprint requests: Dr Irena Nulman, Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Ave, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 1X8.
Supported by Duchesnay (Laval, Quebec). G.K. has served as a paid consultant for Duchesnay. G.K. and I.N. hold a CIHR Collaborative grant with Duchesnay.
ABSTRACT