Work

The relationship between the ages and stages questionnaire, 3rd edition scores in early childhood and future cognitive abilities in young Nepalese children

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The Ages and Stages Questionnaire 3rd edition (ASQ-3) could be a feasible tool in resource-poor settings. Little is known on the relationship between scores on the ASQ-3 and later intellectual abilities in these settings. AIMS: To examine the relationship between ASQ-3 scores during the first and second year of life and intellectual abilities at 4 years of age in Nepalese children. METHODS: In a cohort of 600 children at-risk of stunting, the ASQ-3 was performed at 6-11 and 18-23 months, and the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scales of Intelligence, fourth edition (WPPSI-IV) at 4 years. We examined the relationship between the ASQ-3 scores and WPPSI-IV full scale IQ (FSIQ) using Spearman correlation coefficients and linear regression models. RESULTS: Correlations between ASQ-3 total scores and FSIQ was 0.17 (95% CI 0.07, 0.27) at 6-11 and 0.34 (95% CI 0.26, 0.44) at 18-23 months explaining 2 and 12% of the variance respectively. Except for the communication subscale at 18-23 months with moderate correlations, correlations between the ASQ-3 subscales and FSIQ were weak. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest a modest relationship between ASQ-3 scores in early childhood and intellectual abilities at 4 years.

Source: BMC Pediatrics

DOI: 10.1186/s12887-024-05112-3