Capturing infant and child growth dynamics with P-splines mixed effects models
Authors' conclusion
P-splines simplify knot selection, making them a valuable approach for growth modelling.
Study context
- Population
- Southeast Asian birth cohort with repeated height, weight and body mass index (BMI) measures up to age 10 years
- Participants
- 1,014 participants
- Exposure
- Boys vs girls
- Outcome
- Infant peak growth features by sex
Methodological detailsbirth cohort analysis, P-spline linear mixed effects models
- Birth cohort analysis
- P-spline linear mixed effects models
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
| Group | Value | Peak weight velocity (grams/month) | Infancy peak BMI (kg/m²) | Childhood rebound BMI (kg/m²) | Age at peak BMI (months) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boys | mean 4.4 cm/month | 1121 | 17.4 | 15.1 | 5.8 |
| Girls | mean 3.9 cm/month | 890 | 16.8 | 14.9 | 6.4 |
Value
Boysmean 4.4 cm/month
Girlsmean 3.9 cm/month
Peak weight velocity (grams/month)
Boys1121
Girls890
Infancy peak BMI (kg/m²)
Boys17.4
Girls16.8
Childhood rebound BMI (kg/m²)
Boys15.1
Girls14.9
Age at peak BMI (months)
Boys5.8
Girls6.4
- Age at rebound BMI
- 5.4 years
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Intercorrelations and associations with prenatal factors
- Ages of peak and rebound BMI had a negligible correlation
- Higher maternal height associated with higher peak growth velocity
- Higher maternal early-pregnancy weight associated with higher and earlier rebound BMI
- Higher birth weight associated with higher and earlier peak BMI
Original publication
Capturing infant and child growth dynamics with P-splines mixed effects models. Int J Obes (Lond). Published 12 June 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →