This randomized controlled trial examined predictors of saccadic reaction time (SRT) among 299 children in Lusaka, Zambia, as part of a larger 2x2 cluster-randomized trial. The study aimed to identify factors influencing SRT, a measure of visual processing speed, and its correlation with early childhood development (ECD) metrics such as Global Scales of Early Development (GSED) development-for-age Z-score (DAZ), height-for-age Z-score (HAZ), and head circumference-for-age Z-score (HCZ). SRT was measured at approximately 31 months using a Tobii Pro Fusion tracker. Significant predictors of SRT in the multivariable model included being the only child under five in the household (β: -10.02, 95% CI: -19.71, -0.33, p=0.04), baseline length-for-age Z-score (LAZ) (β: -3.17, 95% CI: -6.31, -0.04, p=0.047), consuming four or more food groups in the past day (β: -10.42, 95% CI: -19.98, -0.86, p=0.03), and having diarrhea in the past two weeks (β: 12.38, 95% CI: 0.71, 24.06, p=0.04). SRT was negatively correlated with HAZ (r=-0.176, p<0.01) and HCZ (r=-0.132, p<0.05), but not with GSED DAZ. These findings suggest that birth spacing, nutritional diversity, and recent diarrheal episodes are significant factors affecting SRT and potentially ECD in this population. No safety or adverse events were reported. The study underscores the importance of addressing nutritional and health factors to improve developmental outcomes in children from low- and middle-income countries.
AI Accuracy Review: 9/10
· Auto-published
This study looks at how young children in Zambia process visual information, which is important for their overall development. Researchers examined 299 children around 31 months old to see what factors might affect how quickly they can react to visual cues. They discovered that children who were the only child under 5 in their home, those who ate a wider variety of foods, and those who had been sick with diarrhea recently had different reaction times. These findings suggest that a child's living situation, diet, and health can impact their ability to process visual information quickly. This is important because understanding these factors can help improve early childhood development programs in similar areas. However, more research is needed to explore these issues in different age groups and locations to get a clearer picture of how to support children's development in low-income countries.
What this means for you: Factors like diet and health can affect how quickly young children in Zambia process visual information.
View Original Abstract ↓
Saccadic reaction time (SRT), an assessment of visual processing speed, may afford an accurate and unbiased measure of early childhood development (ECD). Few studies have examined SRT in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including its drivers. We sought to identify predictors of SRT as well as to assess the correlation between SRT and concurrent measures of ECD [Global Scales of Early Development (GSED) development-for-age Z-score (DAZ), height-for-age Z-score (HAZ), and head circumference-for-age Z-score (HCZ)], among young children in Lusaka, Zambia. We conducted a sub-study among 299 Lusakan children participating in a 2x2 cluster-randomized trial. SRT was assessed at ~31 months using a screen-based setup with a Tobii Pro Fusion tracker. Associations with household, caregiver, and child characteristics were assessed using univariable regression models; predictors significant at the p < 0.20 level were retained in a multivariable model. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to assess associations between SRT and other concurrent measures of ECD. In the multivariable model, characteristics found to be significant predictors of SRT included: being the only child <5 in the household at baseline (β: -10.02, 95% CI: -19.71, -0.33, p = 0.04), length-for-age Z-score (LAZ) at baseline (β: -3.17, 95% CI: -6.31, -0.04, p = 0.047), consuming ≥4 food groups in the past day (β: -10.42, 95% CI: -19.98, -0.86, p = 0.03), and having diarrhea in the past 2 weeks (β: 12.38, 95% CI: 0.71, 24.06, p = 0.04). SRT was significantly negatively correlated with HAZ (-0.176, p < 0.01) and HCZ (-0.132, p < 0.05), but not GSED DAZ. Overall, we identified several significant predictors of SRT among young children in Lusaka, Zambia, including birth spacing, baseline LAZ, dietary diversity, and diarrheal disease. Further research is needed, including in different age groups and geographic locations, to better understand the drivers of slow SRT, and poor ECD generally, in LMICs.