Fetal growth and subsequent mental health problems in children aged 4 to 13 years

To test the hypothesis that children with suboptimal fetal growth have sign ificantly poorer mental health outcomes than those with optimal growth, a p opulation random sample survey of children aged 4 to 16 years in Western Au stralia in 1993 was conducted. The Child Behavior Checklist (Achenbach 1991 a) and the Teacher Report Form (Achenbach 1991b) were used to define mental health morbidity, Survey data for 1775 children aged 4 to 13 years were av ailable for linkage with original birth information. The percentage of expe cted birthweight (PEBW) was used as the measure of fetal growth. Children b elow the and centile of PEBW who had achieved only 57% to 72% of their expe cted birthweight given their gestation at delivery were at significant risk of a mental health morbidity (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.18, 7.12). In addition, the y were more likely to be rated as academically impaired (OR 6.0, 95% CI 2.8 5, 16.06) and to have poor general health (OR 5.1, 95% CI 1.69, 15.52).