Family structure and cognitive development in children aged 12 to 18 months

Xiao Shujuan; Zhou Jinyan; Deng Fengliang; Zeng Shan; Zhou Ting; Wang Hui; Xiao Qin

doi:10.11986/j.issn.1673-873X.2024.S2.20

Abstract：Objective To explore the relationship between family structure and cognitive development in children aged 12 to 18 months,and provide references for promoting their cognitive development.Methods A total of 321 children aged 12 to 18 months undergoing routine physical examinations at a grade A tertiary hospital in Changsha between October 2022 and April 2024 were as-sessed using the Gesell Developmental Scales,with results expressed as developmental quotients(DQ).A DQ≥85 indicated nor-mal development,while a DQ<85 indicated developmental delay.The general data of all children were analyzed,group differences in cognitive development were compared using χ2 tests,and the relationship between family structure and cognitive development was analyzed using multiple regression models.Results The developmental delay rate in children aged 12 to 18 months was 14.95%,with a detection rate of 13.99%in boys and 15.73%in girls.Significant differences were found in dietary behavior,educational lev-el of the primary caregiver,family economic status,and early education experiences(P<0.05).Children from different family structures also showed significant differences in cognitive development(P<0.05).After adjusting for confounding factors such as dietary behavior,educational level of the primary caregiver,family economic status,and early education experiences,regression a-nalysis showed that children from single-parent families(OR=0.138,95%CI:0.049-0.385),blended families(OR=0.155,95%CI:0.055-0.438),and skip-generation families(OR=0.155,95%CI:0.047-0.510)had significant associations with de-velopmental delay(P<0.05).Conclusion A high proportion of children aged 12 to 18 months experience developmental delay,which is directly related to family structure.Their growth environment should be a key focus,and raising them in a complete and healthy family can facilitate early comprehensive development.