Do developmental milestones at 4, 8, 12 and 24 months predict IQ at 5–6 years old? Results of the EDEN mother–child cohort. (March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Peyre, Hugo; Charkaluk, Marie-Laure; Forhan, Anne; Heude, Barbara; Ramus, Franck
• Is Part Of: European journal of paediatric neurology. Volume 21:Number 2(2017:Mar.)
• Page Start: 272
• Page End: 279
• Publication Date: 2017-03
• Subjects: Developmental milestones -- Cognitive development -- IQ -- Intelligence -- Giftedness -- Intellectual disability; Pediatric neurology -- Periodicals; Nervous System Diseases -- Periodicals; Child -- Periodicals; Infant -- Periodicals; Neurologie pédiatrique -- Périodiques; Pediatric neurology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 618.928
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2016.11.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1090-3798

Abstract

Abstract: Rationale: The present study aims: ( i ) to determine how well developmental milestones at 4, 8, 12 and 24 months may predict IQ at 5–6 years old, ( ii ) to identify cognitive domains during the first two years that best predict later IQ and ( iii ) to determine whether children with IQ in the normal range at 5–6 years old may differ from disabled (IQ < 70) and gifted children (IQ > 130) with regard to their early cognitive development. Method: The main developmental milestones were collected through self-administered questionnaires rated by parents at 4, 8, 12 and 24 months and through parental questionnaires administered by a trained interviewer and questionnaires completed following a medical examination at 12 months. These questionnaires were derived from the Brunet-Lézine Psychomotor Development Scale and they addressed several cognitive domains (gross and fine motor skills, language and socialization). Results: ( i ) Developmental milestones predict a substantial part of the later IQ variance from 24 months (R 2 ∼ 20%). ( ii ) Early language skills more strongly predict later IQ than the other cognitive domains. ( iii ) Several cognitive domains, but particularly language skills, predict disabled children at 5–6 years old (from the age of 8 months) and gifted children (from the age of 12 months). Discussion: The present study provides valuable information for early developmental assessment and could contribute to a better understanding of intellectual development. Highlights: Children who had not reached a milestone acquired by 90% of the children of the same age scored. 2.5 IQ points lower when milestones were assessed at 4 and 8 months. 5 IQ points lower when assessed at 12 months. 8 IQ points lower when assessed at 24 months. Early milestones in the language domain were those that best predict intelligence at 5–6 years old.