Familial clustering of birth risk for adverse childhood outcomes

Objective: To identify classes of children exposed to distinct clusters of perinatal and familial risk factors at the time of birth, and examine relationships between class membership and a variety of adverse outcomes in childhood.

Design: A prospective longitudinal study of children (and their parents) born between 2002 and 2004 and who have been followed-up until 12-13 years of age. A combination of latent class analysis and logistic regression analyses were used.

Results: Adverse developmental, social, and mental health outcomes in early and middle childhood were greatest for children with 'pervasive familial risk' (i.e., parental mental illness, parental criminality, and perinatal risk factors) at the time of birth; some associations were stronger among girls.

Conclusion: Pervasive exposure to multiple risk factors in the pre- and perinatal period increases the risk of adverse outcomes in childhood. Future interventions should tailor strategies to address unique combinations of adverse risk exposures in vulnerable families.