Prenatal exposure to the Dutch famine is associated with more self-perceived cognitive problems at 72 years of age.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Undernutrition during critical periods of neurodevelopment can hinder the developing brain with lasting negative consequences for brain size, structure and function. In this study, we describe self-perceived cognitive problems of men and women who were born around the time of the Dutch famine of 1944-45.

Methods

We compared self-perceived cognitive problems between men and women who had been exposed to the 1944-45 Dutch famine in late, mid or early gestation and those who were born before or conceived after the famine (and had thus not been exposed prenatally). We included 595 participants aged 71-74 years.

Results

Women who had been exposed to famine in late gestation more often reported cognitive problems compared to those who had not been exposed (OR 2.2

SUBMITTER: Wiegersma AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8892724 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature