Low birth weight and preterm birth can impact on child development including physical, mental and cognitive domains. A recent study using ECHILD has shown how preterm birth is associated with lower school attainment at age 7 and 11. Similarly, health damaging environmental conditions, such as socioeconomic status (SES) around birth (i.e., first 1000 days of life), can have long-lasting consequences for healthy development, including childhood cognition, however, we do not yet understand whether the effects are mediated through birth outcomes. This research aims to explore whether lower birth weight is associated with lower level and change in school attainment childhood, as well as whether birth weight mediates the impact of SES.

The study is being co-led by Professor Katie Harron and is funded by CLS.