Ouch !!
Posted on 03/30/2005 7:52:40 AM PST by srm913
When it comes to babies big really is better, according to research that links high birth weight to an elevated IQ in later life.
Researchers from Britain and Queensland tracked 470 children from birth to adolescence, recording birth weight and IQ scores in tests at ages five and 14. They found a positive correlation between heavy infants and high intelligence in childhood, regardless of other factors that affect intelligence, such as socio-economic background.
"There's a whole literature which is blossoming which links what happens in pregnancy with the subsequent health and development of a person," said study co-author Jake Najman, a professor of medical sociology at the University of Queensland.
"This paper extends that to the child's intellect and ability."
Previous research has proven low birth-weight babies carry a greater risk of later-life coronary heart disease, stroke, adult-onset diabetes and even schizophrenia.
But this is the first time a study has shown a positive association between heaviness at birth and brain development, while ruling out other factors which could confound results.
In order to eradicate the influence of other things which affect intelligence, the researchers used 235 pairs of siblings, with a maximum age gap of three years. The siblings shared the same home environment, socio-economic status and a similar genetic inheritance. But despite these similarities, the sibling who was heavier at birth tended to score better in the IQ tests.
But after 21 hours of labour, new mother Melissa McTavish wasn't too fussed about her daughter's IQ. She gave birth to Isabella, who weighed more than four kilograms, on Saturday night.
Ms McTavish was glad there was some "pay-off" for the difficulty in giving birth to a large baby. "It would be nice if she was intelligent, but we'll still love her if she's not," she said.
Experts are unsure why the association between heaviness and a higher IQ exists, but most believe it is connected to environmental factors affecting pregnancy, or foetal nutrition.
Other factors affecting IQ were a child's home life, socio-economic background and whether they were breastfed.
Jonathan Morris, professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Sydney, said: "Impaired foetal growth is associated with various conditions in later life. This research says there may be mechanisms which lead to differences in intelligence, which is a marker of development."
Must we remind you of the dangers of applying statistical results to specific individuals? ;-)
Then again, I seem to recall that Isaac Newton was a small and sickly baby....
Leonardo Da'Vinci was supposedly a preemie.
Who was it that had the theory that natural preemies often are born prematurely due to a large head size...??
Like, you are confirming what everyone has known for 100,000 years? That better parents make smarter people? WOW! I guess you need a Ph.D. to figure-out that one...
My daughter weighed 10.5 lb at birth and is 2 years ahead of grade-level in math! My son, who only weighed 8.5, has to struggle daily with his math work. Never thought of the big-baby thing as related before ...
Nuts. My daughter was 5 lbs 5 oz. 17 inches long. (What a little doll) She is nine now and was invited to the science and engineering department at UCF along with only few other students for her outstanding achievements in science and mathmatics. These studies always amaze me.
I weighed 10 lbs. 15 oz. when I was born so I agree wholeheartedly with this articles premise. LOL.
Isaac Newton was said to have been so small when he was born, that he could fit in a quart pot.
Ouch !!
My sons were 7 1/2 llbs., both have IQ's between 130 and 140. I weighed 5 lbs. at birth and score over 130.
Your example show again why one should never apply statistical results to an individual. Over hundreds or thousands of people there are trends; but there are also significant variations among the individuals in the group -- which is what makes things "statistical" in the first place.
For what its worth, I was a big baby with a big head, and was in Mensa until I tired of it and its pretentiousness. But I must say that without looking at the particulars, I can't say whether this study is worth much. I think you'd have to separate the variables, such as why a particular baby was heavy, ie, was he long, fat, bloated with water, big head, etc...
We've got geniuses!
" there are also significant variations among the individuals in the group -- which is what makes things "statistical" in the first place."
The first statement in my course in statistics was:
Anyone refering to or uttering the word statistics in this class will automaticly fail.
This class shall be known as "how to lie with figures and how to make figures lie".
After reading this I feel BRILLIANT, I weighed 11 lb. 13 oz. at birth. Today I am 6'-5" and weigh 220 lb. and feeling just brilliant..................................
That article doesn't apply to my second son. My 6 1/2 y.o. son was 11# 1oz. at birth. He's very smart. My 4 y.o. son was 11# and is autistic.
GOD BLESS your family............
I weighed 170 lbs. when I was born last Tuesday. I have a hat size of 21 3/8. Your puny brains are no match for me.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.