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Wednesday, 30 November 2005 11:06 | BNN: British Nursing News Online · www.bnn-online.co.uk
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Researchers form the University of Bristol have discovered a link between a child’s IQ and the level of growth hormone circulating in their blood which they say explains why children who grow taller, grow smarter.
The findings could explain why some shorter children do poorly at school. Taller children often have higher IQs and short children treated with growth hormone have seen their IQs improve.
The researchers studied 547 children who completed an intelligence test at age eight and were then measured for levels of insulin growth factor (IGF) in their blood. Higher IGF levels were linked to higher IQs.
IGF is key to physical growth and organ development during childhood and levels are influenced by diet. Children who eat more dairy produce and drink more milk in early life have higher levels. Professor David Gunnell, who led the study, said: "Poor foetal and post-natal growth are associated with impaired neurodevelopment. Low birthweight babies experience delays in reaching motor milestones and on average have slightly lower IQs than babies of normal weight." "Short stature - a measure of poor post-natal growth and nutrition - is associated with low scores in tests of cognitive function and poor educational achievement.
"The findings are published in the US journal, Pediatrics.
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