Developmental Milestones of Infancy and Associations with Later Childhood Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study

The age at attaining infancy developmental milestones has been associated with later neurodevelopmental outcomes, but evidence from large and diverse samples is lacking. We investigated this by analyzing data of 5360 singleton children aged 9–10 from 17 states in the US enrolled in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study during 2016–2020. Delays in four milestones (first roll over, unaided sitting, unaided walking, and speaking first words) were defined using the 90th percentile of age at attainment reported by children’s biological mothers. Childhood neurocognitive function was measured by research assistants using the NIH toolbox, and children reported their behavioral problems using the Brief Problem Monitor. Linear mixed-effects models were employed to investigate the association between delays in single or multiple milestones and childhood neurobehavioral outcomes. Delays in first roll over, unaided sitting, or walking were associated with poorer childhood neurocognitive function, while delay in speaking first words was associated with both poorer neurocognitive function and behavioral problems. Children who had delays in both motor and language milestones had the worst neurocognitive function and behavioral outcomes. Our results suggest that delays in motor and language milestone attainment during infancy are predictive of childhood neurobehavioral outcomes.