Child Development Team

Our collaborative team, with the Principle Investigator of Dr. Yi-Hua Chen, Dean of the College of Public Health, brings together diverse expertise in epidemiology, environmental science, and clinical practice specializing in maternal and child neurology and early intervention. Our mission is to investigate the adaptability of infants and young children to considerable environmental shifts and examine the lasting effects of these changes on their physical and mental well-being amidst declining birth rates in Taiwan. Since 2009, we have actively pursued this endeavor, striving to promote the comprehensive health and development of infants and young children while also considering the holistic well-being of their parents.

Harnessing the opportunities presented by advancements in technology-driven healthcare, we continuously expand our extensive database through the Longitudinal Examination across Prenatal and Postpartum Health in Taiwan (LEAPP-HIT) project. Our distinctive approach lies in exploring crucial yet underexplored factors influencing child development, such as sleep patterns, digital media usage, dietary habits, environmental pollution, and exposure to toxic metals. While prior studies have primarily focused on older children aged 3-12, identifying risks and hazards, there remains a notable gap in research during the critical 1-3 year period. Our team addresses this gap by conducting longitudinal studies that integrate various factors and assess their weighted impact on cognitive and language development.

Through a combination of longitudinal data collection, home visits, and assessments covering sleep quality, heavy metal levels, household environment, and air quality, we endeavor to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding child neurodevelopment. Leveraging an artificial intelligence-driven multimodal information platform, our aim is to develop predictive models that can assist healthcare professionals in making informed decisions regarding early intervention strategies. Ultimately, our goal is to advance the field of preventive medicine and precision public health, ensuring the well-being of future generations.

Publications:

1. Hsueh-Wen Hsu , Jian-Pei Huang , Heng-Kien Au , Chen-Li Lin , Yi-Yung Chen , Ling-Chu Chien , Hsing Jasmine Chao , Yu-Chun Lo , Wen-Yi Lin , Yi-Hua Chen (2024). Impact of miscarriage and termination of pregnancy on subsequent pregnancies: A longitudinal study of maternal and paternal depression, anxiety and eudaimonia. Journal of Affective Disorders. Volume 354, 1 June 2024, Pages 544-552. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2024.03.054

2. Hsiao-Chun Huang, Ming-Lun Zou, Yi-Hua Chen, Chuen-Bin Jiang, Chih-Da Wu, Shih-Chun Candice Lung, Ling-Chu Chien, Yu-Chun Lo, Hsing Jasmine Chao. (2023, Nov). Effects of indoor air quality and home environmental characteristics on allergic diseases among preschool children in the Greater Taipei Area. Science of the Total Environment. Science of The Total Environment, Volume 897, 1 November 2023, 165392. nstc 107-2314-B-038-075-MY3.

3. Chi-Sian Kao, Yen-Tzu Fan, Ying-Lin Wang, Yi-Hua Chen, Hsing-Jasmine Chao, Yu-Chun Lo, Chuen-Bin Jiang & Ling-Chu Chien (2023, Oct).Associations between parental and postnatal metal mixture exposure and developmental delays in a Taiwanese longitudinal birth cohort of preschool children. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, doi: 10.1007/s11356- 023-30435-6.

4. Hsin-Yi Wu; Wen-Yi Lin; Jian-Pei Huang; Chen-Li Lin; Heng-Kien Au; YuChun Lo; Ling-Chu Chien; Hsing Jasmine Chao; Yi-Hua Chen. (2023, Jul). Effects of mobile device use on emotional and behavioral problems in the CBCL among preschoolers: Do shared reading and maternal depression matter?. PLoS One, 2023; 18(7): e0280319.. nstc 108-2813-C-038-062-B.

5. Yong-Sin Li, Hsin-Chien Lee, Jian-Pei Huang, Ya-Zhu Lin, Heng-Kien Au, YuChun Lo; Ling-Chu Chien, Hsing-Jasmine Chao, Wanda Estinfort; Yi-Hua Chen. (2023, May). Adverse effects of inadequate sleep duration patterns during pregnancy on toddlers suspected developmental delay: A longitudinal study. Sleep Medicine, 105:68-77.. nstc 111-2314-B-038-043-MY3. MOST 111-2314-B-038-043-MY3, MOST 108-2314-B-038-083-MY3, MOST 105-2314-B-038-031-MY3, NSC 102-2314-B-038-038-MY3, and NSC 99-2628-B-038-015-MY3.

6. Yohane V.A. Phiri, Meei-Maan Wu, Yi-Hua Chen, Ming-Lun Zou, Chuen-Bin Jiang, Chih-Da Wu, Hsiao-Chun Huang, Shih-Chun Candice Lung, Ling-Chu Chien, Yu-Chun Lo, Fang-Yu Lee, Hsing Jasmine Chao (2023, Feb). Environmental determinants of household microbial and allergen levels in the Greater Taipei Area. Building and Environment, 230, 110003.

7. Ming-Lun Zou, Hsiao-Chun Huang, Yi-Hua Chen, Chuen-Bin Jiang, Chih-Da Wu, Shih-Chun Candice Lung, Ling-Chu Chien, Yu-Chun Lo, Hsing Jasmine Chao (2023, Jan). Sex-differences in the effects of indoor air pollutants and household environment on preschool child cognitive development. Science of The Total Environment. (SCI).

8. Zou, M.-L., Huang, H.-C., Chen, Y.-H., Jiang, C.-B., Wu, C.-D., Lung, S.-C. C., . . . Chao, H. J. (2022). Sex-differences in the effects of indoor air pollutants and household environment on preschool child cognitive development. Science of The Total Environment, 160365. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160365

9. Estinfort, W., Huang, J. P., Au, H. K., Chen, L. L., Chen, Y. Y., Chao, H. J., … & Chen, Y. H. (2022). Effects of prenatal subjective well-being on birth outcomes and child development: A longitudinal study. European Psychiatry, 1-29.

10. Zou, M. L., Jiang, C. B., Chen, Y. H., Wu, C. D., Lung, S. C. C., Chien, L. C., … & Chao, H. J. (2022). Frequent occurrence of respiratory symptoms in children is associated with exposure to air pollution, land use types, and parental mental health in the Greater Taipei area. Environmental Research, 206, 112567.

11. Kao, C. S., Wang, Y. L., Jiang, C. B., Chuang, Y. C., Chen, Y. H., Hsi, H. C., & Chien, L. C. (2022). Associations of maternal food safety-related risk perceptions and protective behaviors with daily mercury intake and internal doses of Taiwanese women and their preschool children. Environmental Research, 212, 113344.

12. Santri, I. N., Jiang, C.-B., Chen, Y.-H., Wu, C.-D., Zou, M.-L., Chien, L.-C., . . . Chao, H. J. (2021). Associations of birth outcomes with air pollution and land use characteristics in the Greater Taipei Area. Science of The Total Environment, 750, 141579. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141579

13. Wang, H.-Y., Huang, J.-P., Lin, C.-l., Au, H.-K., & Chen, Y.-H. (2020). Paternal influences from early pregnancy to postpartum years on child development: A longitudinal study. Journal of Affective Disorders, 275, 23-30. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2020.06.018

14. Alibekova, R., Huang, J.-P., Lee, T. S.-H., Au, H.-K., & Chen, Y.-H. (2020). Corrigendum to “Effects of smoking on perinatal depression and anxiety in mothers and fathers: A prospective cohort study” Journal of Affective Disorders 193(2016) 18-26]. Journal of Affective Disorders, 274, 1218. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2020.05.135

15. Chen, Y.-H., Huang, J.-P., Au, H.-K., & Chen, Y.-H. (2019). High risk of depression, anxiety, and poor quality of life among experienced fathers, but not mothers: A prospective longitudinal study. Journal of Affective Disorders, 242, 39-47.doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2018.08.042