Alexia Searchfield: Born Too Small? Is this a risk factor for low educational attainment?
Small for gestational age (SGA) - birthweight in the lowest 10th percentile on a birthweight standard - has become a focal point of Pediatric research following the proposition of the Barker Hypothesis which states the "origins of chronic diseases of adult life lie in fetal responses to the intrauterine environment". SGA children are comprised of two difference groups; those who are intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR), and those who are constitutionally small. SGA infants, particularly those who are IUGR, are predisposed to adverse health outcomes including; renal disease, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. It is also suspected they experience brain stunting during fetal development that decreases their intelligence. It is unknown whether this stunting affects educational attainment. This poster demonstrates a study that was done as part of my PhD, to address this gap in the literature by looking at the relationship between SGA birth and Educational Attainment.