Correlates of cognitive development in low-birth-weight infants from low-income families.

A descriptive correlational design was used to investigate the relationship between environmental and perinatal variables and cognitive development in a sample of 30 low-birth-weight (LBW) preterm infants from low-income families. The incidence of mental or gross motor delay in this convenience sample was 20% (n = 6). Quality of home environment (Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment, Caldwell & Bradley, 1984) was significantly correlated with cognitive development as measured by the Bayley Scales of Mental Development (Mental Development Index [MDI]) (r = .54, p = 0.002). The HOME score predicted 29% of the variance (beta = .542, p = 0.002) in MDI scores. Birth weight and maternal education level were not significantly correlated with cognitive development in this sample. The correlation between the level of maternal depressive symptoms and the MDI scores of the infants approached significance at the p = 0.05 level, (r = -.35, p = 0.055). These findings demonstrate that the home environment is significant to developmental outcomes in high-risk infants. Implications for further research and nursing practice are discussed.