Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41490895›Full record

Observational studyBMJ paediatrics open2026

Early life exposures and school readiness: an observational cohort study using the Born in Bradford longitudinal birth cohort data.

Julia R Forman, Swapnil Ghotane, Ingrid Wolfe, Lorna Katharine Fraser

Abstract readObservational Study
In one paragraph

Observational study in BMJ paediatrics open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Julia R FormanWomen and Children's Health, King's College London, London, UK julia.forman@kcl.ac.uk.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3485-1327
Swapnil GhotaneWomen and Children's Health, King's College London, London, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8515-8648
Ingrid WolfeWomen and Children's Health, King's College London, London, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4717-7634
Lorna Katharine FraserWomen and Children's Health, King's College London, London, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1360-4191

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveTo assess the associations of early life exposures with school readiness. DESIGN, SETTING, MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE AND

participantsUsing data from the Born in Bradford (BiB) birth cohort, we investigated the association of early life exposures and the likelihood of children achieving a 'Good Level of Development' (GLD) as measured by the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile at the end of their first school year. Multivariable logistic regression modelling was used to estimate associations of early life exposures with school readiness.

resultsOutcome data were available for 10 589 of 13 858 BiB participants. 6272 (59%) children achieved a GLD. 17 variables were investigated, including child characteristics, maternal factors, family environment and socioeconomic exposures. In our multivariable model (n=7981), children with the following characteristics were significantly less likely to achieve a GLD: males (OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.39 to 0.47), Pakistani ethnicity (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.89), younger children (OR 1.18 per month, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.19), preterm birth (gestational age<32 weeks OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.19 to 0.62; 32-36 weeks OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.51 to 0.80), younger maternal age (OR 1.01 per year of maternal age, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.02), lower maternal education (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.37 with no qualifications, compared with higher degrees), never breastfed (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.78 to 0.97), lower paternal employment status (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.54 to 0.81, for unemployed, compared with non-manual employment), receiving benefits during pregnancy (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.80 to 0.99) and eligible for free school meals (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.62 to 0.81). A sensitivity analysis using multiple imputation (n=10 589) found consistent results.

conclusionsThe exposures most strongly associated with low school readiness were male sex, low maternal education and preterm birth (<32 weeks gestation). Greater understanding of the exposures associated with school readiness can inform a proportionate universal approach to policymaking to improve school readiness and subsequent life outcomes.

Indexed as

Child DevelopmentBirth CohortChildChild, PreschoolCohort StudiesEducational StatusFemaleHumansLongitudinal StudiesMaleSchoolsSocioeconomic FactorsChild HealthEpidemiologyHealth Policy

Identifiers

PMID41490895
PMCPMC12778278

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.