White R F, Campbell R, Echeverria D, Knox S S, Janulewicz P
Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
J Epidemiol Community Health. 2009 Jan;63 Suppl 1(Suppl_1):i15-26. doi: 10.1136/jech.2007.071530.
This paper provides a strategy for the assessment of brain function in longitudinal cohort studies of children. The proposed strategy invokes both domain-specific and omnibus intelligence test approaches. In order to minimise testing burden and practice effects, the cohort is divided into four groups with one-quarter tested at 6-monthly intervals in the 0-2-year age range (at ages 6 months, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 years) and at annual intervals from ages 3-20 (one-quarter of the children at age 3, another at age 4, etc). This strategy allows investigation of cognitive development and of the relationship between environmental influences and development at each age. It also allows introduction of new domains of function when age-appropriate. As far as possible, tests are used that will provide a rich source of both longitudinal and cross-sectional data. The testing strategy allows the introduction of novel tests and new domains as well as piloting of tests when the test burden is relatively light. In addition to the recommended tests for each age and domain, alternative tests are described. Assessment methodology and knowledge about child cognitive development will change over the next 20 years, and strategies are suggested for altering the proposed test schedule as appropriate.
本文提供了一种在儿童纵向队列研究中评估脑功能的策略。所提出的策略同时采用了特定领域和综合智力测试方法。为了尽量减少测试负担和练习效应，队列被分为四组，在0至2岁年龄范围内每6个月对四分之一的儿童进行测试（在6个月、1.0岁、1.5岁和2.0岁时），从3岁至20岁则每年进行一次测试（3岁时测试四分之一的儿童，4岁时测试另一部分儿童，依此类推）。该策略能够对每个年龄段的认知发展以及环境影响与发展之间的关系进行研究。它还允许在适合相应年龄时引入新的功能领域。尽可能使用能够提供丰富纵向和横断面数据的测试。该测试策略允许在测试负担相对较轻时引入新测试和新领域以及对测试进行试点。除了针对每个年龄和领域推荐的测试外，还描述了替代测试。在未来20年中，评估方法和有关儿童认知发展的知识将会发生变化，文中还提出了相应调整建议测试时间表的策略。
