Impact of Stunting on Cognitive Function of Children in Southern Thailand : Based on the Prospective Cohort Study of Thai Children.

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of stunting children in Southern Thailand from the Prospective Cohort Study of Thai Children, and to also identify the associations between stunting and the cognitive function of children in Southern Thailand. Data were obtained from the Prospective Cohort Study of Thai Children (PCTC) in Thepha district, Songkhla province. Children’s intelligence quotients (IQ) were tested by using Test of Nonverbal Intelligence 3rd Edition (TONI-3) from 924 children at age 8.5 years. Multiple linear regression was used to identify the factors associated with cognitive function. The average IQ score of children was 86.2. Most of mothers had access to primary education (61.36%). Children from families with incomes less than 10,000 Baht per month accounted for 60% and more than half of the children were males (52.38%). Stunted children at ages less than 1, 1, 3, 5 and 8.5 years accounted for 7.18%, 12.81%, 24.18%, 21.48% and 21.57%, respectively. Mothers who exclusively breast fed their children at ages of 21 days, 3, 6, 12 months accounted for 50.65%, 47.23%, 50.93% and 45.69%, respectively. About 9% of children were born with low birth weight. Maternal education, family income and stunting at age less than one year were significantly associated with cognitive function. Children whose mothers attained Bachelor’s degree had higher cognitive function than the average. Children from family with income more than 15,000 Baht per month also had higher cognitive function than the average, where as children form families with income less than 10,000 Baht per month tended to have cognitive function lower than the average. Stunted children at birth tended to have lower cognitive function than the average. In conclusion, improving cognitive function among children should be emphasized on preventing stunting at the first year of age, providing nutrition knowledge for low educated mother and low income family.