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[Infant malnutrition, development rate and its relation to the environment: a pilot study]
M L Alvarez1, X Concha, M Elordi
1Instituto de Nutrición, Universidad de Chile.
Revista De Saude Publica
|August 1, 1991
Summary
Socio-cultural factors significantly impact psychomotor development in undernourished infants. Positive internal and external environments, including maternal sensitivity and stimulation, correlate with normal developmental quotients (DQ).
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Developmental Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Undernourished infants often exhibit developmental delays.
- Socio-cultural factors are hypothesized to influence psychomotor development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate socio-cultural influences on psychomotor development in undernourished infants.
- To compare environmental factors between infants with normal and below-normal developmental quotients (DQ).
Main Methods:
- Study included 32 mother-infant dyads from a Nutritional Recuperation Center.
- Infants were assessed using Bailey's Test for developmental quotient (DQ).
- Maternal interviews and environmental assessments were conducted.
Main Results:
- Infants with normal DQ experienced wished-for pregnancies and less maternal separation.
- Positive neighborhood environments and maternal sensitivity/stimulation were higher in the normal DQ group.
- No differences found in mothers' socio-cultural or demographic backgrounds.
Conclusions:
- Both internal (maternal) and external (environmental) factors differentiate psychomotor development in undernourished infants.
- These environmental influences may explain developmental differences in low socioeconomic populations.