Developmental Metrics and Demographic Surveillance
Our research in developmental metrics and population surveillance leverages large-scale national data to establish evidence-based developmental standards and monitor trends across diverse populations. These studies examine milestone attainment patterns, demographic variations, and socioeconomic factors affecting child development, providing critical insights that inform policy decisions and enable more personalized, culturally appropriate developmental screening tools.
Standardization of a Developmental Milestone Scale Using Data From Children in Israel
This study introduced a new data-driven developmental scale based on national assessments of Israel's multicultural population. The cross-sectional, population-based research analyzed 3,774,517 developmental assessments of 643,958 children from birth to age 6 years, conducted by trained nurses in Maternal Child Health Clinics (Tipat Halav). The resulting scale presents the 75%, 90%, and 95% achievement rates for evaluated milestones.
Conducted in collaboration with KI Research Institute
Sex-specific developmental scales for surveillence
This study challenged the current paradigm of using unified developmental scales for both sexes, proposing instead sex-specific scales. The nationwide research quantitatively described sex-related differences in milestone attainment rates during early childhood and assessed the clinical need for separate developmental scales, as male and female children exhibit differences in neurodevelopment patterns.
Conducted in collaboration with KI Research Institute
Preterm developmental scales for surveillance
This study examined whether standard age-correction is appropriate for all levels of prematurity. Using large-scale data, the research investigated the assumptions of linearity and uniformity in current prematurity correction methods, as the developmental timeline of preterm children differs from term-born counterparts.
Conducted in collaboration with KI Research Institute
Breast feeding as risk and resilience factor for developmental delays
This study examined whether breastfeeding affects developmental milestone attainment, analyzing the association between breastfeeding practices (duration and exclusivity) and milestone achievement. The research focused particularly on preterm children, who face higher risks of neurodevelopmental challenges.
Conducted in collaboration with KI Research Institute
Creating a score for child development survaillance
This study proposed a method for integrating developmental milestone assessments into a quantitative score, similar to growth curves. The research developed a simple method for creating a single, continuous score from milestone assessments and found that this score reflects known risk factors for developmental delays and may reveal new ones.
Conducted in collaboration with KI Research Institute
Assessing the Attainment Rates of Updated CDC Milestones Using a New Israeli Developmental Scale
This study compared the new Israeli evidence-based developmental scale with the updated CDC checklists and found that Israeli children achieved almost all comparable milestones earlier than CDC-defined threshold ages across all domains. The research demonstrates that population-specific, evidence-based developmental scales can enable more personalized developmental surveillance.
Conducted in collaboration with KI Research Institute
Language Development Outcomes and Inequality Between Population Groups
This study examined language development outcomes to measure inequality across Israeli population groups and found that lower maternal education is consistently associated with higher rates of language delays, particularly pronounced among 2-3-year-olds. Critically, these delays are increasing over time, especially within lower education groups.
Conducted in collaboration with KI Research Institute
Trends in Milestone Attainment Failure in Israeli Children
This study analyzed milestone attainment in over 1 million Israeli children (birth to age 6, 2016-2020) and revealed increasing rates of milestone failure, particularly in language development. The findings showed associations with sociodemographic factors including maternal education, marital status, and immigrant background, underscoring the urgent need for targeted interventions and periodic developmental evaluations in Israel.
Conducted in collaboration with KI Research Institute
National Child Development Report and Data Dashboard
This research provides a national child development report that informs policy decisions and resource allocation for municipalities and ministries across Israel. The findings are shared through an accessible, user-friendly dashboard that enables data-driven policy and planning.
Conducted in collaboration with KI Research Institute
Prediction Models for Early Identification of Overweight and Obese Children
This study developed machine learning models to predict early childhood overweight using routine growth measurements from approximately 150,000 infants. The models for ages 0-3 and 3-6 months significantly outperformed current WHO growth chart predictions (AUC: 0.76-0.82 vs. 0.69-0.79). These models enable early obesity risk identification using standard growth data collected at well-child visits.
