Association between maternal shift work and infant neurodevelopmental outcomes: Results from the Taiwan Birth Cohort Study with propensity-score-matching analysis
Journal
International Journal of Epidemiology
Journal Volume
48
Journal Issue
5
Pages
1545-1555
Date Issued
2019
Author(s)
Lin, Ching-Chun
Lin, Kuan-Chia
Ho, Wen-Chao
Pau-Chung CHENChen, Pau-Chung
Abstract
Background: Maternal shift work is associated with preterm delivery, small-for-gestational-age new-borns, childhood obesity and future behavioural problems. However, the adverse effects on and interactions of maternal shift work with infant neurodevelopment remain uncertain. Therefore, we examined the associations between maternal-shift-work status and infant neurodevelopmental parameters. Methods: The Taiwan Birth Cohort Study is a nationwide birth cohort study following representatively sampled mother-infant pairs in 2005. The participants' development and exposure conditions were assessed by home interviews with structured questionnaires at 6 and 18 months of age. Propensity scores were calculated with predefined covariates for 1:1 matching. Multivariate conditional logistic regression and the Cox proportional-hazards model were used to examine the association between maternal-shift-work status and infant neurodevelopmental-milestone-achievement status. Results: In this study, 5637 term singletons were included, with 2098 cases selected in the propensity-score-matched subpopulation. Persistent maternal shift work was associated with increased risks of delays in gross-motor neurodevelopmental milestones [aOR = 1.36, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.06-1.76 for walking steadily], fine-motor neurodevelopmental milestones (aOR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.07-1.80 for scribbling) and social neurodevelopmental milestones (aOR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.03-1.76 for coming when called upon). Moreover, delayed gross-motor and social development were identified in the propensity-score-matched sub-cohort. Conclusions: This study shows negative associations between maternal shift work and delayed neurodevelopmental-milestone achievement in the gross-motor, fine-motor and social domains at 18 months. Future research is necessary to elucidate the possible underlying mechanisms and long-term health effects. ? 2019 The Author(s) 2019; all rights reserved. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the International Epidemiological Association.
Other Subjects
age structure; cohort analysis; confidence interval; obesity; questionnaire survey; risk factor; social development; subpopulation; walking; working conditions; adult; Article; cohort analysis; female; human; infant; major clinical study; male; motor development; nervous system development; nervous system parameters; priority journal; propensity score; shift work; social evolution; social status; structured questionnaire; adverse event; child development; motor performance; multivariate analysis; newborn; pregnancy; prenatal exposure; proportional hazards model; prospective study; shift schedule; statistical model; Taiwan; young adult; Taiwan; Adult; Child Development; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Logistic Models; Male; Motor Skills; Multivariate Analysis; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Propensity Score; Proportional Hazards Models; Prospective Studies; Shift Work Schedule; Taiwan; Young Adult
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Type
journal article