Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Effects of Maternal Worm Infections and Anthelminthic Treatment during Pregnancy on Infant Motor and Neurocognitive Functioning
AU - Nampijja, Margaret
AU - Apule, Barbara
AU - Lule, Swaib
AU - Akurut, Hellen
AU - Muhangi, Lawrence
AU - Webb, Emily L
AU - Lewis, Charlie
AU - Elliott, Alison M
AU - Alcock, Katie J
N1 - http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayJournal?jid=INS The final, definitive version of this article has been published in the Journal, Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 18, (6) pp 1019-1030 2012, © 2012 Cambridge University Press.
PY - 2012/11
Y1 - 2012/11
N2 - We tested the hypothesis that maternal worm infections in pregnancy affect infant motor and neurocognitive development, and that anthelminthic treatment during pregnancy can reverse these effects. We used measures which examine infant motor, cognitive and executive function, including inhibition. We assessed 983 Ugandan infants aged 15 months, using locally appropriate measures within the Entebbe Mother and Baby Study, a trial of anthelminthic treatment during pregnancy. Key exposures were maternal worm infections and anthelminthic treatment during pregnancy. Effects of other health and social factors were controlled for statistically. Of the five major worm species found in the pregnant women, two had influences on the developmental measures: Maternal Mansonella perstans and Strongyloides stercoralis infections showed negative associations with the A-not B-task, and Language, respectively. Performance on other psychomotor and cognitive measures was associated with illnesses during infancy and infants' behavior during assessment, but not with maternal worm infections. There were no positive effects of maternal anthelminthic treatment on infant abilities. Mansonella perstans and Strongyloides stercoralis infection during pregnancy seem associated with impaired early executive function and language, respectively, but single-dose anthelminthic treatment during pregnancy was not beneficial. The biological mechanisms that could underlie these neurocognitive effects are discussed. (JINS, 2012, 18, 1019-1030).
AB - We tested the hypothesis that maternal worm infections in pregnancy affect infant motor and neurocognitive development, and that anthelminthic treatment during pregnancy can reverse these effects. We used measures which examine infant motor, cognitive and executive function, including inhibition. We assessed 983 Ugandan infants aged 15 months, using locally appropriate measures within the Entebbe Mother and Baby Study, a trial of anthelminthic treatment during pregnancy. Key exposures were maternal worm infections and anthelminthic treatment during pregnancy. Effects of other health and social factors were controlled for statistically. Of the five major worm species found in the pregnant women, two had influences on the developmental measures: Maternal Mansonella perstans and Strongyloides stercoralis infections showed negative associations with the A-not B-task, and Language, respectively. Performance on other psychomotor and cognitive measures was associated with illnesses during infancy and infants' behavior during assessment, but not with maternal worm infections. There were no positive effects of maternal anthelminthic treatment on infant abilities. Mansonella perstans and Strongyloides stercoralis infection during pregnancy seem associated with impaired early executive function and language, respectively, but single-dose anthelminthic treatment during pregnancy was not beneficial. The biological mechanisms that could underlie these neurocognitive effects are discussed. (JINS, 2012, 18, 1019-1030).
KW - Pregnancy
KW - Helminths
KW - De-worming
KW - Infancy
KW - Psychomotor
KW - Executive function
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84870184409&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1017/S1355617712000768
DO - 10.1017/S1355617712000768
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 23158229
VL - 18
SP - 1019
EP - 1030
JO - Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society
JF - Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society
SN - 1469-7661
IS - 6
ER -