Contextual risk factors for atypical motor development in infants exposed to poverty: a longitudinal study

Children raised in socioeconomically disadvantaged environments experience poorer health outcomes than their more advantaged peers. Evidence examining infancy, a period of intense neuroplasticity, remains limited.

To identify (i) the specific domains of motor development and the assessment time points during follow-up in which infants exposed to poverty score lower than their non-exposed peers; and (ii) contextual risk factors associated with atypical motor development.

This prospective, longitudinal study included 50 infants exposed to poverty (Exposed Group, EG) and 38 infants not exposed. Motor development was assessed using the Infant Motor Profile (IMP). Multiple linear and logistic regressions with backward selection were conducted with Generalized Estimating Equations.

At six months, EG infants had significantly lower scores in variation, fluency, and total IMP. At seven months, they showed significantly lower scores in fluency. The main risk factor for atypical motor development was male sex (odds ratio [OR] = 2.57; 95 % confidence interval [95 % CI]: 1.28-5.17) and single-parent status (OR = 1.23; 95 % CI: 1.08-1.75). Protective factors included a higher number of fine motor toys (OR = 0.84; 95 % CI: 0.74-0.97) and age at time of assessment. Older infants demonstrated a higher IMP score (OR = 0.34; 95 % CI: 0.24-0.49) as part of the expected developmental progression.

Six months may represent a sensitive period for motor development among infants exposed to poverty. Cohabiting caregivers and access to fine motor toys appear to be protective factors against atypical variation, indicator associated with central nervous system impairments.