Head growth and intelligence from birth to adulthood in very preterm and term born individuals

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of infant and toddler head growth on intelligence scores from early childhood to adulthood in very preterm (<32 weeks gestational age; VP) and/or very low birth weight (<1500 g; VLBW) and term born individuals. Methods: 203 VP/VLBW and 198 term comparisons were studied from birth to adulthood as part of the prospective geographically defined Bavarian Longitudinal Study (BLS). Head circumference was assessed at birth; 5, 20 months; and 4 years of age. Intelligence was assessed with standardized tests in childhood (6 and 8 years: K-ABC) and at 26 years (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, WAIS). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to model the effect of head growth on IQ. Results: On average, VP/VLBW had lower head circumference at birth (27.61 cm vs. 35.11 cm, mean difference 7.49, 95% confidence interval [7.09–7.90]) and lower adult intelligence scores (88.98 vs. 102.54, mean difference 13.56 [10.59–16.53]) than term born comparison individuals. Head circumference at birth (e.g., total effect β=.48; p<.001 for adult IQ) and head growth in childhood predicted intelligence development from age 6 to 26 years in both VP/VLBW and term born individuals (70% of variance in adult IQ explained by full model). Effects of gestation and birth weight on intelligence were fully mediated by head circumference and growth. Conclusions: This longitudinal investigation from birth to adulthood indicates head growth as a proxy of brain development and intelligence. Repeated early head circumference assessment adds valuable information when screening for long-term neurocognitive risk. (JINS, 2019, 25, 48#x2013;56

Universal gestational age effects on cognitive and basic mathematic processing

Prematurity has adverse effects on basic mathematic processing following birth at all gestations <36 weeks and on IQ and mathematic attainment <34 weeks GA. The ability to predict IQ and mathematic processing scores from one cohort to another among children cared for in different eras and countries indicates that universal neurodevelopmental factors explain the effects of gestation at birth. In contrast, mathematic attainment may be improved by schooling

Unaccompanied Minors in Germany: Challenges and Measures after the Clarification of Residence Status; Focussed Study by the German National Contact Point for the European Migration Network (EMN)

Mit der hohen Anzahl an Geflüchteten in den Jahren 2015 und 2016 kam auch eine Vielzahl unbegleiteter Kinder und Jugendlicher nach Deutschland. Dies brachte eine Reihe an Herausforderungen sowohl für die jungen Geflüchteten selbst als auch für die zuständigen Behörden, Organisationen, Schulen und Betriebe mit sich. Die EMN-Studie beleuchtet, wie die verschiedenen Lebensbereiche unbegleiteter Minderjähriger in Deutschland gesetzlich geregelt sind und wie sich das auf ihre Lebensumstände auswirkt. Im Mittelpunkt stehen dabei die Bereiche Inobhutnahme, Unterbringung, Versorgung und Betreuung, Integration in Schule und Ausbildung sowie Fragen der Rückkehr, des Verschwindens und der Familienzusammenführung. Ebenso werden die wichtigsten statistischen Erkenntnisse zu unbegleiteten Minderjährigen präsentiert. Prinzipiell steht im Umgang mit unbegleiteten Minderjährigen stets das Kindeswohl an erster Stelle. Die Unterbringung, Versorgung und Betreuung der unbegleiteten Minderjährigen verläuft daher größtenteils unabhängig von ihrem Aufenthaltsstatus. Nichtsdestotrotz spielt dieser eine große Rolle, etwa bei der Integration in den Arbeitsmarkt oder für die Möglichkeiten der Familienzusammenführung oder des Familiennachzugs. Mit der Volljährigkeit sind Unterbringung und Integration dann wesentlich vom aufenthaltsrechtlichen Status geprägt.A considerable part of the refugees that came to Germany in 2015 and 2016 were unaccompanied minors. This led to a number of challenges, both for the children and young refugees and for the responsible authorities, organisations, schools and companies who deal with them. The EMN study examines how different aspects of the life of unaccompanied minors are regulated and how these legal provisions impact on their situation. The study focuses on care, accommodation and assistance, integration into the school system and the labour market, return, disappearance of unaccompanied minors and family reunification. It also provides the most relevant statistics on unaccompanied minors in Germany. When dealing with unaccompanied minors, the best interest of the child is generally the primary consideration. Therefore, the provision of accommodation, care and assistance does in most parts not depend on their residence status. The residence status does, however, play an important role, for example when it comes to the possibilities for integration into the labour market or for family reunification. From the moment when unaccompanied minors turn 18, their situation is shaped by their residence status to a much greater extent

Effects of gestational age and early parenting on children’s social inhibition at 6 years

Preterm birth (<37 weeks’ gestation) has been associated with problems in social functioning. Whether social inhibition is specifically related to preterm birth and whether early parenting may protect against social inhibition difficulties is unknown. To explore effects of gestational age and early parent–infant relationships on social inhibition, 1314 children born at 26–41 weeks gestational age were studied as part of the prospective Bavarian Longitudinal Study. Early parent–infant relationship quality was assessed postnatally with the parent–infant relationship index. Social inhibition was assessed at age 6 years using an experimental procedure, in which nonverbal and verbal responses were coded into social inhibition categories (disinhibited, normally responsive, inhibited). Multinomial logistic regressions indicated that children with lower gestational age showed more socially disinhibited (nonverbal: OR = 1.27 [95% CI = 1.17–1.40], verbal: OR = 1.23 [95% CI 1.13–1.35]) and inhibited (nonverbal: OR = 1.21 [95% CI = 1.11–1.32], verbal: OR = 1.11 [95% CI = 1.01–1.21]) responses. Good early parent–infant relationships were associated with less verbal disinhibition (OR = 0.70 [95% CI = 0.52–0.93]). Findings suggest that children with lower gestational age are at greater risk to be both socially inhibited and disinhibited. Early parenting affected risk of abnormal social responses. Supporting early parent–infant relationships may reduce preterm children’s risk for social difficulties. View Full-Tex

Menschenrechte im interdisziplinären Diskurs: Perspektiven auf Diskriminierungsstrukturen und pädagogische Handlungsmöglichkeiten

Vor dem Hintergrund der Allgemeinen Menschenrechte, der Kinderrechte und der UN-Behindertenrechtskonvention analysiert der Band Herausforderungen und Handlungsmöglichkeiten dieser normativen Ansprüche aus unterschiedlichen Disziplinen. Es werden ferner differente Erscheinungsformen von Ausgrenzung und Diskriminierung mit dem Blick auf unvollendete Menschenrechte und damit verbundene Vulnerabilitäten reflektiert. Schließlich zeigt ein Blick in unterschiedliche pädagogische Handlungsfelder und konkrete Praxisbeispiele verstärkte menschenrechtsbasierte Partizipationsmöglichkeiten auf

Effects of Gestational Age and Early Parenting on Children’s Social Inhibition at 6 Years

Preterm birth (\u3c37 weeks’ gestation) has been associated with problems in social functioning. Whether social inhibition is specifically related to preterm birth and whether early parenting may protect against social inhibition difficulties is unknown. To explore effects of gestational age and early parent–infant relationships on social inhibition, 1314 children born at 26–41 weeks gestational age were studied as part of the prospective Bavarian Longitudinal Study. Early parent–infant relationship quality was assessed postnatally with the parent–infant relationship index. Social inhibition was assessed at age 6 years using an experimental procedure, in which nonverbal and verbal responses were coded into social inhibition categories (disinhibited, normally responsive, inhibited). Multinomial logistic regressions indicated that children with lower gestational age showed more socially disinhibited (nonverbal: OR = 1.27 [95% CI = 1.17–1.40], verbal: OR = 1.23 [95% CI 1.13–1.35]) and inhibited (nonverbal: OR = 1.21 [95% CI = 1.11–1.32], verbal: OR = 1.11 [95% CI = 1.01–1.21]) responses. Good early parent–infant relationships were associated with less verbal disinhibition (OR = 0.70 [95% CI = 0.52–0.93]). Findings suggest that children with lower gestational age are at greater risk to be both socially inhibited and disinhibited. Early parenting affected risk of abnormal social responses. Supporting early parent–infant relationships may reduce preterm children’s risk for social difficulties