Low-birth-weight infants born to adolescent mothers. Effects of coresidency with grandmother on child development.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the impact of young maternal age, coresidency with infant's grandmother, and other familial and environmental factors on development of low-birth-weight (LBW) infants.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort analyses.

SETTING

Eight medical institutions in different geographical locations participating in the Infant Health and Development Program.

PARTICIPANTS

Control population of 272 LBW, preterm infants enrolled in the Infant Health and Development Program born to mothers aged 15 to 24 years.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Child cognitive, behavioral, and health outcomes at 36 months' gestation-corrected age.

RESULTS

Maternal age was not significantly related to child development. Coresidence with infant's grandmother was associated with improved cognitive and health outcomes. Maternal ethnicity, maternal verbal ability, and other environmental factors were also associated with child outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings of this study support the need for programs that include the extended family of at-risk infants, providing education and literacy skills to the mothers and encouraging participation of all care givers of the child.